How can PHP arrays be utilized to store configuration variables and maintain a clear interface, as proposed in the forum conversation?

To store configuration variables and maintain a clear interface in PHP, arrays can be utilized to group related configuration settings together. This allows for easy access and modification of configuration values in a centralized manner. By defining an array with key-value pairs representing different configuration options, developers can easily manage and update settings without scattering them throughout the codebase.

// Configuration array
$config = [
    'database_host' => 'localhost',
    'database_name' => 'my_database',
    'database_user' => 'root',
    'database_pass' => 'password123'
];

// Accessing configuration variables
echo $config['database_host']; // Outputs: localhost
echo $config['database_name']; // Outputs: my_database