In what ways can PHP developers utilize server-side techniques, such as htaccess files, to optimize website performance and reduce response times?

One way PHP developers can optimize website performance and reduce response times is by utilizing htaccess files to enable caching of static resources. By setting cache-control headers in the htaccess file, browsers can store static files locally, reducing the need to fetch them from the server on subsequent visits.

# Enable caching of static resources for one week
<IfModule mod_expires.c>
  ExpiresActive On
  ExpiresDefault "access plus 1 week"
</IfModule>