How can the session_start function be utilized efficiently in PHP to maintain user sessions?

To efficiently maintain user sessions in PHP using the session_start function, it should be called at the beginning of every page where session data is needed. This function initializes a session or resumes an existing one, allowing you to store and retrieve session variables across different pages.

<?php
session_start();

// Now you can set session variables
$_SESSION['username'] = 'JohnDoe';

// Retrieve session variables
echo 'Welcome, ' . $_SESSION['username'];
?>