How can functions or methods be utilized to improve code readability and maintainability in PHP?

To improve code readability and maintainability in PHP, functions or methods can be utilized to encapsulate reusable blocks of code and logic. This helps in organizing code into smaller, more manageable units, making it easier to understand and maintain. By abstracting complex operations into functions or methods, code becomes more modular and easier to test and debug.

// Example of using a function to improve code readability and maintainability

// Function to calculate the area of a rectangle
function calculateRectangleArea($length, $width) {
    return $length * $width;
}

// Usage of the function
$length = 5;
$width = 10;
$area = calculateRectangleArea($length, $width);
echo "The area of the rectangle is: " . $area;