What are the benefits of self-directed learning and research when working with PHP?

Self-directed learning and research when working with PHP allows developers to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, techniques, and best practices in the language. It also enables developers to troubleshoot and solve problems independently, leading to a deeper understanding of PHP and more efficient coding practices.

// Example of self-directed learning and research in PHP
// Using PHP's built-in function to get the current date and time
$currentDateTime = date('Y-m-d H:i:s');
echo "Current Date and Time: " . $currentDateTime;