How can including the database connection affect the functionality of a PHP script?

Including the database connection in a PHP script is essential for interacting with the database to fetch or store data. Without the database connection, the script will not be able to perform any database operations, leading to errors or incomplete functionality. To ensure the database connection is included and functioning properly, it is recommended to create a separate file for the database connection code and include it at the beginning of the PHP script using the `require_once` or `include_once` function.

<?php
// Include the database connection file
require_once 'db_connection.php';

// Rest of the PHP script goes here
// Perform database operations using the established connection
?>