How can PHP code be optimized for faster loading times on a website?

To optimize PHP code for faster loading times on a website, you can use techniques such as caching, minimizing database queries, and optimizing loops and conditionals. Additionally, enabling opcode caching, using efficient algorithms, and reducing unnecessary code can also improve performance.

// Example of optimizing PHP code by minimizing database queries
// Before optimization
$query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $user_id";
$result = mysqli_query($connection, $query);
$user = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result);

// After optimization
$query = "SELECT name, email FROM users WHERE id = $user_id";
$result = mysqli_query($connection, $query);
$user = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result);