What are the best practices for setting up user authentication in a .htaccess file for PHP applications?

Setting up user authentication in a .htaccess file for PHP applications involves creating a .htpasswd file to store usernames and passwords, and then configuring the .htaccess file to require valid credentials for access. This adds an extra layer of security to your application by restricting access to authorized users only.

AuthType Basic
AuthName "Restricted Area"
AuthUserFile /path/to/.htpasswd
Require valid-user