How important is it to plan and consider the structure of a PHP script before writing the first line of code?

It is crucial to plan and consider the structure of a PHP script before writing the first line of code as it helps in organizing the code, improving readability, and ensuring scalability and maintainability. By outlining the logic flow, defining functions, and identifying key components beforehand, developers can save time and effort in the long run.

// Example of a well-structured PHP script with proper planning

// Define functions
function calculateSum($num1, $num2) {
    return $num1 + $num2;
}

function displayResult($result) {
    echo "The result is: " . $result;
}

// Main script
$num1 = 10;
$num2 = 20;

$sum = calculateSum($num1, $num2);
displayResult($sum);