How can PHP developers troubleshoot and debug issues with a custom search function on their website?

When troubleshooting and debugging issues with a custom search function on a website, PHP developers can start by checking the code for any syntax errors, ensuring that the search query is being passed correctly, and verifying that the search results are being displayed accurately. They can also use tools like var_dump() or print_r() to inspect variables and data structures during runtime.

// Example code snippet for troubleshooting and debugging a custom search function

// Check for any syntax errors
error_reporting(E_ALL);
ini_set('display_errors', 1);

// Ensure search query is being passed correctly
$query = isset($_GET['search']) ? $_GET['search'] : '';
echo "Search query: " . $query . "<br>";

// Verify search results are being displayed accurately
$results = perform_search($query);
if($results){
    foreach($results as $result){
        echo $result . "<br>";
    }
} else {
    echo "No results found.";
}

// Function to perform search
function perform_search($query){
    // Perform search logic here
    // Return search results as an array
    return array("Result 1", "Result 2", "Result 3");
}