What potential pitfalls should be considered when comparing date values in PHP, especially when using the date() function?

When comparing date values in PHP, especially when using the date() function, potential pitfalls include differences in timezones, date formats, and daylight saving time adjustments. To avoid these issues, it is recommended to use the DateTime class, which provides more flexibility and consistency when working with dates and times.

$date1 = new DateTime('2022-01-01');
$date2 = new DateTime('2022-01-02');

if ($date1 < $date2) {
    echo "Date 1 is before Date 2";
} else {
    echo "Date 2 is before Date 1";
}