What are some best practices for debugging PHP code instead of using echo statements?

To debug PHP code without relying on echo statements, it is recommended to use a debugging tool like Xdebug. Xdebug allows for more advanced debugging techniques such as setting breakpoints, stepping through code, and inspecting variables. By utilizing Xdebug, developers can more efficiently identify and resolve issues in their PHP code. Example PHP code snippet using Xdebug:

// Enable Xdebug
// Add the following line to your php.ini file
// zend_extension=/path/to/xdebug.so

// Set up Xdebug configuration
xdebug.remote_enable = 1
xdebug.remote_autostart = 1

// Start debugging session
// Set a breakpoint in your code where you want to start debugging

// Access your PHP script with a debugging client like PhpStorm or VS Code
// You can now step through your code, inspect variables, and identify issues more effectively