How can PHP beginners ensure that their code is efficient and follows best practices when working on tasks like the Harry-Potter Programmier test?

To ensure that PHP code is efficient and follows best practices when working on tasks like the Harry-Potter Programmier test, beginners can utilize proper variable naming conventions, write clean and organized code, avoid unnecessary loops or functions, and regularly test and debug their code.

// Example of efficient and best practice PHP code for the Harry-Potter Programmier test
$books = ['Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\'s Stone', 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets', 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban', 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'];

$bookPrices = [
    'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer\'s Stone' => 8,
    'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' => 8,
    'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' => 8,
    'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' => 8,
    'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' => 8
];

$discounts = [0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.25];

$totalPrice = 0;
$uniqueBooks = array_unique($books);

foreach ($uniqueBooks as $book) {
    $count = array_count_values($books)[$book];
    $totalPrice += $bookPrices[$book] * (1 - $discounts[$count - 1]) * $count;
}

echo "Total price: $" . number_format($totalPrice, 2);