How can the use of MySQL functions like NOW() and CURDATE() simplify the process of inserting date values into a database table using PHP?

Using MySQL functions like NOW() and CURDATE() can simplify the process of inserting date values into a database table using PHP by allowing us to directly insert the current date and time or current date only without having to manually format the date in PHP. This can streamline the code and reduce the chances of errors in date formatting.

<?php
// Connect to database
$mysqli = new mysqli("localhost", "username", "password", "database");

// Insert current date and time into a table
$query = "INSERT INTO table_name (date_time_column) VALUES (NOW())";
$mysqli->query($query);

// Insert current date only into a table
$query = "INSERT INTO table_name (date_column) VALUES (CURDATE())";
$mysqli->query($query);

// Close database connection
$mysqli->close();
?>