What steps should be taken to clearly define the problem and requirements before implementing a PHP solution for online scheduling?

To clearly define the problem and requirements before implementing a PHP solution for online scheduling, the following steps should be taken: 1. Identify the specific needs and goals of the online scheduling system, such as the ability to book appointments, manage availability, send reminders, etc. 2. Gather requirements from stakeholders, including users, administrators, and any other relevant parties. 3. Create a detailed list of features, functionalities, and constraints that the system must meet. 4. Develop a clear and comprehensive project plan outlining the scope, timeline, resources, and budget for the implementation.

// Example PHP code snippet for implementing online scheduling functionality

// Define database connection parameters
$servername = "localhost";
$username = "username";
$password = "password";
$dbname = "scheduling_db";

// Connect to the database
$conn = new mysqli($servername, $username, $password, $dbname);

// Check connection
if ($conn->connect_error) {
    die("Connection failed: " . $conn->connect_error);
}

// Query to retrieve available time slots for a specific date
$date = "2022-01-01";
$sql = "SELECT time_slot FROM availability WHERE date = '$date' AND is_available = 1";
$result = $conn->query($sql);

// Display available time slots
if ($result->num_rows > 0) {
    while($row = $result->fetch_assoc()) {
        echo "Available time slot: " . $row["time_slot"] . "<br>";
    }
} else {
    echo "No available time slots for the selected date.";
}

// Close the database connection
$conn->close();