What is the significance of placing session_start() at the beginning of a PHP script, and what potential issues can arise if it is not done so?

Placing session_start() at the beginning of a PHP script is significant because it initializes a session or resumes the current one. This is essential for storing and accessing session variables throughout the script. If session_start() is not called at the beginning, it may lead to errors or unexpected behavior when trying to access session variables.

<?php
session_start();

// Rest of the PHP script
?>