How essential is it for PHP developers to adhere to clean code principles, and what resources are available for learning about this?

It is essential for PHP developers to adhere to clean code principles as it improves code readability, maintainability, and overall quality of the codebase. By following clean code practices, developers can write more efficient and error-free code, making it easier for themselves and others to understand and work with the code.

```php
<?php

// Bad example
function calculate($a, $b) {
    $result = $a + $b;
    return $result;
}

// Good example
function calculate($num1, $num2) {
    $sum = $num1 + $num2;
    return $sum;
}

?>
```

Resources for learning about clean code principles in PHP include books like "Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship" by Robert C. Martin, online courses on platforms like Udemy or Coursera, and articles and tutorials on websites like Medium or SitePoint. Additionally, PHP frameworks like Laravel and Symfony often promote clean code practices in their documentation and community forums.