How can debugging techniques, like var_dump and error reporting, help identify issues in PHP code?

Debugging techniques like var_dump and error reporting can help identify issues in PHP code by providing visibility into the values of variables at different points in the code execution and by displaying error messages that pinpoint the location of errors. By using var_dump, developers can see the contents of variables and arrays, helping them identify unexpected values or structures. Error reporting can provide detailed error messages that indicate where issues are occurring in the code, making it easier to track down and fix bugs.

<?php
// Enable error reporting to display detailed error messages
error_reporting(E_ALL);
ini_set('display_errors', 1);

// Use var_dump to inspect variable values
$variable = "Hello";
var_dump($variable);

// Example code with a potential issue
$number = "10";
$result = $number * 2;
echo $result;
?>