How can PHP beginners effectively handle file deletion operations to avoid errors or data loss?

When handling file deletion operations in PHP, beginners should always check if the file exists before attempting to delete it to avoid errors. Additionally, it's crucial to set proper file permissions to ensure that the PHP script has the necessary permissions to delete the file. Using functions like `file_exists()` and `unlink()` can help beginners safely delete files without risking data loss.

$file_path = 'path/to/file.txt';

if (file_exists($file_path)) {
    if (unlink($file_path)) {
        echo 'File deleted successfully.';
    } else {
        echo 'Error deleting file.';
    }
} else {
    echo 'File does not exist.';
}