What is the significance of the error message "syntax error, unexpected T_VARIABLE, expecting T_FUNCTION" in PHP code?

The error message "syntax error, unexpected T_VARIABLE, expecting T_FUNCTION" in PHP code typically indicates that a variable is being declared or used outside of a function. To solve this issue, you need to ensure that all variable declarations and operations are done within the scope of a function.

// Incorrect code causing the error
$variable = "Hello, World!";

function printMessage() {
    echo $variable;
}

// Corrected code
function printMessage() {
    $variable = "Hello, World!";
    echo $variable;
}

// Call the function
printMessage();