What best practices should beginners follow when using PHP functions like echo and if statements?

Beginners using PHP functions like echo and if statements should follow best practices such as using proper syntax, indenting code for readability, and commenting to explain the purpose of the code. It is also important to validate input data before using it in functions to prevent security vulnerabilities.

<?php

// Example of using echo statement with proper syntax and commenting
$name = "John";
echo "Hello, " . $name; // Output: Hello, John

// Example of using if statement with proper syntax and indentation
$age = 25;
if ($age >= 18) {
    echo "You are an adult.";
} else {
    echo "You are a minor.";
}

?>