How does the use of functions like file_exists() in PHP scripts relate to server permissions and access restrictions?

When using functions like file_exists() in PHP scripts, it is important to consider server permissions and access restrictions. If the script does not have the necessary permissions to access the file or directory, the function may return false even if the file actually exists. To solve this issue, you can check and adjust the file permissions or use functions like is_readable() to ensure the script has the required access.

$file_path = 'path/to/file.txt';

if (file_exists($file_path) && is_readable($file_path)) {
    // Perform operations on the file
    echo "File exists and is readable.";
} else {
    echo "File does not exist or is not readable.";
}