How can the DateTime class in PHP be utilized to handle date calculations more effectively than using functions like strtotime?

When handling date calculations in PHP, using the DateTime class is more effective than functions like strtotime because it provides a more object-oriented approach to working with dates and times. The DateTime class offers a wide range of methods for manipulating dates, calculating intervals, and formatting output, making it easier to work with date and time data in a more structured and reliable manner.

// Example of utilizing DateTime class for date calculations
$date1 = new DateTime('2022-01-01');
$date2 = new DateTime('2022-02-01');

$interval = $date1->diff($date2);
echo $interval->format('%R%a days'); // Output: +31 days