How can developers efficiently debug PHP code to identify and resolve errors like unexpected characters or syntax issues?
To efficiently debug PHP code for unexpected characters or syntax issues, developers can use tools like Xdebug or PHP's built-in error reporting functions. They can also break down the code into smaller sections to isolate the problem area. Additionally, checking for missing semicolons, parentheses, or curly braces can help identify syntax errors.
<?php
// Example code with unexpected characters
$variable = "Hello World!';
// Corrected code with fixed syntax
$variable = "Hello World!";