How can understanding PHP string parsing improve code efficiency and readability?

Understanding PHP string parsing can improve code efficiency and readability by allowing developers to manipulate strings more effectively, resulting in cleaner and more concise code. By utilizing PHP's built-in string functions and methods, developers can avoid unnecessary loops or manual string manipulation, leading to faster and more efficient code execution. Additionally, understanding string parsing in PHP can help developers avoid common pitfalls and errors when working with strings, ultimately improving the overall quality of the codebase.

// Example of using PHP string parsing to improve code efficiency and readability
$string = "Hello, World!";
$substring = substr($string, 0, 5); // Extract the first 5 characters of the string
echo $substring; // Output: Hello