What are the fundamental principles of PHP that should be understood before troubleshooting variable passing errors?

When troubleshooting variable passing errors in PHP, it is essential to understand the fundamental principles of variable scope and passing methods. This includes knowing the difference between global, local, and static variables, as well as how variables are passed by reference or by value. By understanding these concepts, you can effectively identify and resolve issues related to variable passing errors.

<?php
// Example demonstrating variable scope and passing methods
$globalVar = "I am a global variable";

function testFunction($param) {
    $localVar = "I am a local variable";
    echo $param;
}

testFunction($globalVar); // Output: I am a global variable
?>