How can PHP scripts be optimized to ensure proper execution of commands like starting a server?

To optimize PHP scripts for proper execution of commands like starting a server, it is important to use functions that handle system commands efficiently and securely. One common approach is to use the `exec()` function in PHP to execute system commands. Additionally, it is important to sanitize user input to prevent any potential security vulnerabilities.

// Example of starting a server using exec() function
$command = 'start my_server.exe';
$output = [];
exec($command, $output);

// Check for any errors
if(!empty($output)) {
    foreach($output as $line) {
        echo $line . "\n";
    }
} else {
    echo "Server started successfully";
}