What common syntax errors should PHP beginners be aware of when working with directory paths in their code?

Beginners should be aware of using the correct directory separator when working with paths in PHP. Using the wrong separator can lead to syntax errors or unexpected behavior. It is recommended to use the DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR constant to ensure cross-platform compatibility when dealing with directory paths.

// Incorrect usage of directory separator
$path = 'folder\file.txt';

// Correct usage of directory separator
$path = 'folder' . DIRECTORY_SEPARATOR . 'file.txt';