What are some essential tools needed for writing PHP programs?

Some essential tools needed for writing PHP programs include a text editor or IDE for writing and editing code, a local server environment like XAMPP or MAMP for testing PHP scripts locally, and a web browser for viewing the output of PHP programs. Additionally, a version control system like Git can help manage changes to code and collaborate with others on projects.

<?php
// Sample PHP code snippet
echo "Hello, World!";
?>