What is the purpose of using the date() function in PHP to display the current date and time?

The purpose of using the date() function in PHP is to display the current date and time on a webpage. This function allows you to format the date and time in various ways, such as displaying it in a specific format or timezone. By using the date() function, you can provide users with up-to-date information on when the webpage was last accessed or updated.

<?php
// Display the current date and time in a specific format
echo date("Y-m-d H:i:s");
?>