What are the essential files that need to be created for a PHP survey?

To create a PHP survey, essential files that need to be created include a PHP file to handle the survey form submission, a PHP file to process the form data and store it in a database, and a PHP file to display the survey results.

// survey_form.php
<form method="post" action="process_survey.php">
  <label for="name">Name:</label>
  <input type="text" name="name" id="name">
  
  <label for="email">Email:</label>
  <input type="email" name="email" id="email">
  
  <label for="rating">Rating:</label>
  <select name="rating" id="rating">
    <option value="1">1</option>
    <option value="2">2</option>
    <option value="3">3</option>
    <option value="4">4</option>
    <option value="5">5</option>
  </select>
  
  <input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
```

```php
// process_survey.php
<?php
if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST") {
  $name = $_POST["name"];
  $email = $_POST["email"];
  $rating = $_POST["rating"];
  
  // Process and store the survey data in a database
  
  echo "Thank you for completing the survey!";
} else {
  echo "Error: Form submission method not allowed.";
}
?>
```

```php
// display_results.php
<?php
// Retrieve and display survey results from the database
?>