How does ob_start() function in PHP help in handling output buffering and compression?

When dealing with output buffering and compression in PHP, using the ob_start() function can help in capturing output before it is sent to the browser. This allows you to manipulate or compress the output before sending it to the client, improving performance and reducing bandwidth usage.

<?php
ob_start();
// Your PHP code here
$output = ob_get_clean();
// Compress or manipulate the output as needed
echo $output;
?>