How can proper debugging techniques help in resolving issues with PHP code that retrieves and processes external content?

Proper debugging techniques can help in resolving issues with PHP code that retrieves and processes external content by allowing developers to identify and fix errors efficiently. By using tools like var_dump(), print_r(), and error_log(), developers can inspect variables, data structures, and error messages to pinpoint the root cause of the issue. Additionally, stepping through the code using a debugger can help in understanding the flow of execution and identifying any logical errors.

// Example PHP code snippet demonstrating the use of var_dump() for debugging
$url = 'https://example.com/api/data';
$response = file_get_contents($url);

var_dump($response); // Output the response for debugging purposes

// Process the external content further
// ...