How can PHP developers optimize the efficiency and reliability of scripts that interact with external files and databases through manual or automated processes?

To optimize the efficiency and reliability of scripts that interact with external files and databases, PHP developers can implement error handling, use prepared statements for database queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, and utilize caching mechanisms to reduce the number of database calls. 

// Example of implementing error handling in PHP script
try {
    // Code that interacts with external files or databases
} catch (Exception $e) {
    // Handle the error, log it, or display a user-friendly message
    echo 'An error occurred: ' . $e->getMessage();
}

Keywords

file handling database interaction optimization error handling automation

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