What are the advantages of using the DateTime class in PHP for date calculations?

When performing date calculations in PHP, it is recommended to use the DateTime class as it provides a more object-oriented approach to working with dates and times. This class offers a wide range of methods for manipulating dates, calculating intervals, formatting dates, and handling timezones. By using the DateTime class, you can ensure more accurate and reliable date calculations in your PHP applications.

// Example of using the DateTime class for date calculations
$startDate = new DateTime('2023-01-15');
$endDate = new DateTime('2023-02-20');

// Calculate the difference between two dates
$interval = $startDate->diff($endDate);
echo $interval->format('%R%a days'); // Output: +36 days