What are the best practices for optimizing PHP code for performance?

To optimize PHP code for performance, it is important to minimize database queries, use efficient algorithms, cache data where possible, and avoid unnecessary function calls. Additionally, using opcode caching, enabling gzip compression, and optimizing server configurations can also improve PHP performance.

// Example: Minimizing database queries by fetching all necessary data at once
// Instead of making multiple queries in a loop, fetch all data in a single query

// Inefficient way
foreach ($user_ids as $user_id) {
    $user_data = $db->query("SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = $user_id");
    // Process user data
}

// Efficient way
$user_ids_str = implode(',', $user_ids);
$users_data = $db->query("SELECT * FROM users WHERE id IN ($user_ids_str)");
foreach ($users_data as $user_data) {
    // Process user data
}