How can debugging techniques like echoing SQL queries help in identifying issues with PHP MySQL queries?

Debugging techniques like echoing SQL queries can help in identifying issues with PHP MySQL queries by allowing developers to see the exact SQL query being executed. This can help pinpoint syntax errors, missing parameters, or any other issues with the query itself. By echoing the SQL query before executing it, developers can compare it with the expected query to identify any discrepancies.

// Example of echoing SQL query before execution
$sql = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $user_id";
echo $sql; // Output the SQL query for debugging purposes

// Execute the SQL query
$result = mysqli_query($connection, $sql);

// Check if the query was successful
if($result){
    // Process the query results
} else {
    // Handle any errors
}