How can variables be passed between different PHP files or pages?

Variables can be passed between different PHP files or pages by using sessions or cookies. Sessions store variables on the server and can be accessed across multiple pages during a user's visit. Cookies store variables on the user's browser and can be accessed across different sessions.

// File 1: setting a session variable
session_start();
$_SESSION['variable_name'] = 'value';

// File 2: accessing the session variable
session_start();
echo $_SESSION['variable_name'];