How can outdated PHP versions impact the functionality and behavior of PHP scripts, and what version should be recommended for optimal performance?

Outdated PHP versions can impact the functionality and behavior of PHP scripts by lacking support for new features, security patches, and bug fixes. To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended to use the latest stable version of PHP.

<?php
// Check PHP version
if (version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '7.4.0') < 0) {
    die('You are using an outdated version of PHP. Please upgrade to at least PHP 7.4 for optimal performance.');
}
?>