What is the purpose of using the file_exists() function in PHP and how can it help prevent errors related to missing files?

The file_exists() function in PHP is used to check if a file or directory exists in the specified path. This function can help prevent errors related to missing files by allowing you to verify the existence of a file before attempting to perform any operations on it. By using file_exists(), you can avoid errors that may occur when trying to access or manipulate files that are not present.

$file_path = 'path/to/file.txt';

if (file_exists($file_path)) {
    // Proceed with operations on the file
    $file_contents = file_get_contents($file_path);
    // Other file operations...
} else {
    echo "File does not exist.";
}