How can optimizing syntax, such as using single quotes instead of double quotes for strings in PHP scripts, improve code efficiency and readability?

Using single quotes instead of double quotes for strings in PHP scripts can improve code efficiency and readability by reducing the need for PHP to parse variables within double quotes. Single quotes are parsed as plain strings, which can be faster for PHP to process. Additionally, using single quotes can make the code more readable by clearly distinguishing between variables and plain text in the script.

// Inefficient code using double quotes
$name = "John";

// Efficient code using single quotes
$name = 'John';