What is the significance of using var_dump instead of echo for debugging purposes in PHP?

When debugging in PHP, using var_dump instead of echo is significant because var_dump will display the data type and value of a variable, making it easier to identify any issues with the variable's content. This can be especially helpful when dealing with complex data structures or objects. Var_dump provides more detailed information compared to echo, which only displays the value of the variable without any additional context.

// Using var_dump for debugging
$variable = "Hello, World!";
var_dump($variable);