How can developers ensure that their PHP code is efficient and optimized for performance?

Developers can ensure that their PHP code is efficient and optimized for performance by following best practices such as minimizing database queries, using caching mechanisms, optimizing loops and conditional statements, and utilizing built-in PHP functions for common tasks. Additionally, developers should regularly monitor and profile their code to identify any bottlenecks or areas for improvement.

// Example of optimizing PHP code by minimizing database queries
// Instead of querying the database multiple times within a loop, fetch all necessary data in a single query

// Inefficient code
foreach ($items as $item) {
    $result = mysqli_query($connection, "SELECT * FROM products WHERE id = $item");
    $product = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result);
    // Process $product data
}

// Optimized code
$ids = implode(',', $items);
$result = mysqli_query($connection, "SELECT * FROM products WHERE id IN ($ids)");
while ($product = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    // Process $product data
}