What is the significance of defining an index at the beginning of a PHP script, and how does it affect the script's execution?

Defining an index at the beginning of a PHP script allows for easier referencing of array elements throughout the script. It helps in maintaining consistency and readability in the code, making it easier to understand and debug. Additionally, defining an index at the beginning can improve the script's performance by reducing the time needed to access array elements.

<?php

// Define index at the beginning of the script
$index = 0;

// Access array elements using the defined index
$array = [1, 2, 3, 4];
echo $array[$index]; // Output: 1

?>