Recommendations

Readability of code blocks

Related lines of code should be grouped into blocks, separated from each other to keep readability as high as possible. The definition of "related" depends on the code :)

For example:

<?php

if ($foo) {
    
$bar 1;
}
if (
$spam) {
    
$ham 1;
}
if (
$pinky) {
    
$brain 1;
}
?>

is a lot easier to read when separated:

<?php

if ($foo) {
    
$bar 1;
}

if (
$spam) {
    
$ham 1;
}

if (
$pinky) {
    
$brain 1;
}
?>

Return early

To keep readability in functions and methods, it is wise to return early if simple conditions apply that can be checked at the beginning of a method:

<?php

function foo($bar$baz)
{
    if (
$foo) {
        
//assume
        //that
        //here
        //is
        //the
        //whole
        //logic
        //of
        //this
        //method
        
return $calculated_value;
    } else {
        return 
null;
    }
}
?>

It's better to return early, keeping indentation and brain power needed to follow the code low.

<?php

function foo($bar$baz)
{
    if (!
$foo) {
        return 
null;
    }

    
//assume
    //that
    //here
    //is
    //the
    //whole
    //logic
    //of
    //this
    //method
    
return $calculated_value;
}
?>