How can PHP and MySQL be effectively separated to improve code readability and maintainability?

To improve code readability and maintainability, PHP and MySQL can be effectively separated by using a database abstraction layer or an ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) framework. This allows for a clear separation of concerns, where database interactions are handled separately from application logic, making it easier to maintain and understand the code.

// Example using an ORM framework (e.g., Laravel's Eloquent)
// Define a model representing a table in the database
class User extends Model {
    protected $table = 'users';
}

// Usage in PHP code
$users = User::where('status', 'active')->get();
foreach($users as $user) {
    echo $user->name;
}