How can error messages from PHP functions like file_put_contents() be effectively utilized to troubleshoot issues with writing to files?

When encountering issues with writing to files using PHP functions like file_put_contents(), error messages can provide valuable information for troubleshooting. By checking the error message returned by the function, you can identify the specific problem, such as permission issues or invalid file paths. This information can help you address the issue and ensure successful file writing operations.

$file = 'example.txt';
$data = 'Hello, World!';

if (file_put_contents($file, $data) === false) {
    echo "Error writing to file: " . error_get_last()['message'];
} else {
    echo "File written successfully!";
}