What is the purpose of the date() function in PHP?

The date() function in PHP is used to format a timestamp or current date and time into a specified format. This function allows developers to customize the display of dates and times in their applications. By using the date() function, you can easily manipulate and display dates in a way that suits your specific needs.

// Example of using the date() function to display the current date in a specific format
$currentDate = date("Y-m-d H:i:s");
echo "Current date and time: " . $currentDate;