What are the best practices for setting up a mail server to handle email delivery when using the mail() function in PHP?
When using the mail() function in PHP to send emails, it is important to set up a mail server properly to ensure reliable email delivery. This includes configuring the server's DNS records, setting up SPF and DKIM records, and ensuring that the server's IP address is not blacklisted. Additionally, it is recommended to use a dedicated mail server or a reputable email service provider for better deliverability.
// Example PHP code snippet for sending an email using the mail() function with proper headers
$to = "recipient@example.com";
$subject = "Test Email";
$message = "This is a test email sent from PHP using the mail() function.";
$headers = "From: sender@example.com\r\n";
$headers .= "Reply-To: sender@example.com\r\n";
$headers .= "MIME-Version: 1.0\r\n";
$headers .= "Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1\r\n";
mail($to, $subject, $message, $headers);