How can developers ensure that PHP scripts using imap_open function are portable and work consistently across different server environments?

To ensure portability and consistent functionality of PHP scripts using imap_open across different server environments, developers should check for the availability of the IMAP extension and handle errors gracefully. By using the function_exists() function to verify the existence of imap_open and utilizing try-catch blocks for error handling, developers can ensure that their scripts work reliably on various servers.

if (function_exists('imap_open')) {
    try {
        // Your imap_open code here
    } catch (Exception $e) {
        echo 'An error occurred: ' . $e->getMessage();
    }
} else {
    echo 'IMAP extension is not available on this server.';
}