When should the session_start function be used in PHP scripts that involve file downloads?
When using PHP scripts that involve file downloads and need to maintain session data, the session_start function should be used at the beginning of the script before any output is sent to the browser. This ensures that session data is available throughout the script execution, including when handling file downloads. By starting the session early, you can access session variables and maintain user authentication or other relevant data during the file download process.
<?php
session_start();
// Code for handling file downloads goes here