How can editors affect the functionality of PHP scripts and how can this be mitigated?

Editors can affect the functionality of PHP scripts by introducing hidden characters like tabs, spaces, or special characters that can cause syntax errors. This can be mitigated by using a code editor that has syntax highlighting and linting features to catch these issues before running the script.

<?php
// Ensure the code is saved in UTF-8 without BOM
// Use a code editor with syntax highlighting and linting features
// to catch any hidden characters that may cause syntax errors
// Regularly review and clean up the code to maintain readability and functionality