How important is template speed optimization in PHP development, considering the minimal impact on overall page load times in modern internet environments?

Template speed optimization in PHP development is still important, even in modern internet environments where page load times are generally faster. While the impact on overall load times may be minimal, optimizing template speed can still improve user experience and SEO rankings. One way to optimize template speed is by minimizing database queries, optimizing images and assets, and utilizing caching techniques.

// Example of optimizing template speed by implementing caching in PHP

// Check if the cached file exists and is not expired
$cache_file = 'cached_template.php';
if (file_exists($cache_file) && (time() - filemtime($cache_file) < 3600)) {
    include $cache_file;
} else {
    ob_start(); // Start output buffering
    // Your template code goes here
    $template_content = ob_get_clean(); // Get the template content and clear the buffer
    file_put_contents($cache_file, $template_content); // Cache the template content
    echo $template_content; // Output the template content
}