How can the var_dump function be used to troubleshoot variable types in PHP code?

When troubleshooting variable types in PHP code, the var_dump function can be used to display the data type and value of a variable. This can help identify unexpected data types or values that may be causing issues in the code. By using var_dump, developers can quickly pinpoint where variables are not behaving as expected and make necessary adjustments to ensure the correct data types are being used.

$variable = "Hello, World!";
var_dump($variable);