How can the use of a standardized date format in PHP classes improve the accuracy and efficiency of unit testing?

When unit testing PHP classes that involve date manipulation, using a standardized date format can improve accuracy and efficiency. By using a consistent format, such as ISO 8601 (YYYY-MM-DD), you can avoid discrepancies in date comparisons and make it easier to write test cases that cover various scenarios. This approach ensures that the date handling logic in your classes is tested thoroughly and reliably.

class DateHelper {
    public function formatDate($date) {
        return date('Y-m-d', strtotime($date));
    }
}