What is the purpose of the `include` statement in PHP?

The purpose of the include statement in PHP is to include a file's content in another file. When PHP encounters this statement, it reads the specified file and inserts its content at that point in the script. This is particularly useful for reusing code, such as including configuration files or common functions, promoting better organization and maintainability of the code.

Using the include statement helps to modularize the code, allowing developers to break down large codebases into smaller, manageable pieces. Additionally, if the included file contains PHP code, it will be executed as if it was part of the original file. This facilitates code reuse across different parts of the application without having to rewrite the same code multiple times.

This approach also enables developers to maintain code more effectively, as any changes made to the included file will automatically reflect wherever it is included, reducing redundancy and the potential for errors.