How can PHP scripts effectively handle input validation and error checking to prevent unexpected behavior?

To handle input validation and error checking in PHP scripts, developers can use functions like `filter_var()` to sanitize and validate input data, as well as `isset()` or `empty()` to check for the presence of required variables. Additionally, using conditional statements and try-catch blocks can help catch and handle errors gracefully to prevent unexpected behavior.

// Example of input validation and error checking in PHP

// Validate and sanitize user input
$email = filter_var($_POST['email'], FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL);

// Check if required variables are set
if(isset($email)){
    // Process the input data
    echo "Email address is valid: " . $email;
} else {
    // Handle the error
    echo "Invalid email address";
}