How can the user properly debug the PHP script to identify where the issue lies in the code?

To properly debug a PHP script and identify where the issue lies in the code, the user can start by checking for syntax errors, using print statements to trace the flow of the code, and utilizing tools like Xdebug for more advanced debugging. By systematically going through the code and testing different parts, the user can pinpoint the exact location of the problem and make necessary corrections.

<?php
// Example PHP code snippet with debugging statements
$number = 10;

// Check if the number is divisible by 2
if ($number % 2 == 0) {
    echo "The number is even.";
} else {
    echo "The number is odd.";
}

// Add a print statement to trace the flow of the code
echo "Debug point 1";

// Perform additional operations
$newNumber = $number * 2;

// Add another print statement to trace the flow of the code
echo "Debug point 2";
?>