How can PHP beginners ensure that PHP code is executed properly when reading it from external files?

PHP beginners can ensure that PHP code is executed properly when reading it from external files by using the `include` or `require` functions to include the external file in their main PHP script. This way, the code in the external file will be executed as if it were part of the main script. It is important to make sure that the file path is correct and that the external file contains valid PHP code.

<?php
include 'external_file.php';
// code continues here
?>