How can PHP developers ensure proper handling of file operations to prevent errors or data corruption?

PHP developers can ensure proper handling of file operations by using functions like `file_exists()` to check if a file exists before attempting to read or write to it, `is_readable()` and `is_writable()` to ensure the file is accessible for reading and writing, and `fopen()` to open the file with the appropriate mode. Additionally, using `fclose()` to close the file after operations are complete and handling errors with try-catch blocks or error handling functions can help prevent data corruption.

$filename = 'example.txt';

if (file_exists($filename) && is_readable($filename) && is_writable($filename)) {
    $file = fopen($filename, 'r+');
    
    // Perform file operations here
    
    fclose($file);
} else {
    echo "File is not accessible for reading and writing.";
}