What steps can be taken to improve the readability and maintainability of PHP code within a project?

To improve the readability and maintainability of PHP code within a project, developers can follow best practices such as using meaningful variable names, commenting code effectively, organizing code into logical sections, and adhering to a consistent coding style. Additionally, utilizing design patterns and separating concerns can help make the codebase more manageable and easier to maintain.

// Example of using meaningful variable names and commenting code effectively
$first_name = "John"; // Variable to store the first name
$last_name = "Doe"; // Variable to store the last name

// Example of organizing code into logical sections
function calculate_total_price($quantity, $price) {
    $total = $quantity * $price;
    return $total;
}

// Example of adhering to a consistent coding style
if ($condition) {
    // Code block
} else {
    // Code block
}