How can the use of sprintf() function help in formatting numbers with leading zeros?

When formatting numbers with leading zeros, it can be challenging to ensure that the desired number of zeros are added before the actual number. The sprintf() function in PHP can be used to easily format numbers with leading zeros by specifying the desired width of the output and using the %0 placeholder followed by the number of zeros desired. This function allows for precise control over the formatting of numbers with leading zeros.

$num = 7;
$formatted_num = sprintf("%02d", $num); // Output: 07
echo $formatted_num;