What are the best practices for separating HTML and PHP code in web development, and is it necessary to include PHP code in a separate file using require?

To separate HTML and PHP code in web development, it is recommended to use a templating system like MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. This involves creating separate files for HTML templates and PHP logic, keeping them organized and easier to maintain. While it is not always necessary to include PHP code in a separate file using require, doing so can help improve code readability and maintainability.

// index.php
<?php
require 'header.php'; // Including HTML header template
// PHP logic here
require 'footer.php'; // Including HTML footer template
?>