What are some best practices for protecting PHP code by using a different file extension?

When it comes to protecting PHP code, one best practice is to use a different file extension other than the standard ".php" extension. This can help prevent direct access to the PHP files and make it harder for potential attackers to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in the code.

<?php
// Rename your PHP file with a different extension like ".inc" or ".data"
// Make sure to update any references to the file in your code accordingly
// This can help obscure the fact that the file contains PHP code and provide an additional layer of security