What are the best practices for testing PHP scripts locally before updating to a new PHP version?

When testing PHP scripts locally before updating to a new PHP version, it is important to ensure compatibility with the new version to avoid any potential issues. One best practice is to use a local development environment such as XAMPP or MAMP to set up a testing environment with the new PHP version. Additionally, running automated tests and using tools like PHP Compatibility Checker can help identify any potential compatibility issues before updating.

// Example PHP code snippet to check compatibility with a new PHP version
// Check for deprecated functions or features
if (version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '7.4', '>=')) {
    // Code that may be deprecated in PHP 7.4 or later
    // Update code to use recommended alternatives
} else {
    // Code that is compatible with PHP versions prior to 7.4
}