What role does output_buffering play in PHP scripts, and how can its settings affect the output and behavior of a website?

Output buffering in PHP allows you to store the output of a script in a buffer before sending it to the browser. This can be useful for manipulating the output before it is displayed or for preventing headers from being sent prematurely. By adjusting the output_buffering setting in the php.ini file or using the ob_start() function in your script, you can control how output buffering is handled and potentially improve the performance and behavior of your website.

// Enable output buffering in PHP script
ob_start();

// Your PHP code here

// Flush the output buffer and send the content to the browser
ob_end_flush();