How can PHP be used to replace JavaScript for a countdown function?

PHP can be used to replace JavaScript for a countdown function by utilizing the server-side scripting capabilities of PHP. We can calculate the remaining time on the server and then send it to the client-side for display. This way, the countdown will be more accurate and secure as it is not dependent on the client's system time.

<?php
$future_date = strtotime("2023-01-01 00:00:00"); // Set the future date to countdown to
$current_date = time(); // Get the current date and time
$remaining_time = $future_date - $current_date; // Calculate the remaining time in seconds

$days = floor($remaining_time / (60 * 60 * 24));
$hours = floor(($remaining_time - ($days * 60 * 60 * 24)) / (60 * 60));
$minutes = floor(($remaining_time - ($days * 60 * 60 * 24) - ($hours * 60 * 60)) / 60);
$seconds = $remaining_time - ($days * 60 * 60 * 24) - ($hours * 60 * 60) - ($minutes * 60);

echo "Countdown: $days days, $hours hours, $minutes minutes, $seconds seconds remaining";
?>