What is the purpose of using the PHP error_log function and what are some potential benefits of utilizing it?

The PHP error_log function is used to log errors or messages to a specified file or system logger. This can be helpful for debugging purposes, as it allows developers to track errors and issues that occur during the execution of their PHP scripts. By utilizing the error_log function, developers can easily monitor and troubleshoot their code to ensure it is running smoothly.

// Log an error message to a file
$error_message = "An error occurred";
error_log($error_message, 3, "error.log");