What are the advantages of using a library like Guzzle for handling HTTP requests in PHP compared to native functions like file_get_contents?

When handling HTTP requests in PHP, using a library like Guzzle provides several advantages over native functions like file_get_contents. Guzzle offers a more object-oriented approach, making it easier to work with APIs and handle complex requests. It also provides better error handling, support for asynchronous requests, and various customization options that can improve performance and security.

// Using Guzzle library to make an HTTP request
require 'vendor/autoload.php';

use GuzzleHttp\Client;

$client = new Client();
$response = $client->request('GET', 'https://api.example.com');

echo $response->getBody();