Basic PHP Hit Counter

<?php
$hitsFile = "counter.dat"; // File to store the hit count
 
if (file_exists($hitsFile)) {
    // File exists, read the current hit count
    $fileHandle = fopen($hitsFile, "r+"); // Open file for both reading and writing
    if ($fileHandle) {
        $hitCount = (int)fgets($fileHandle); // Read the current hit count and cast to integer
        $hitCount++; // Increment the hit count
 
        rewind($fileHandle); // Move file pointer back to the start
        fputs($fileHandle, $hitCount); // Write the updated hit count
        fclose($fileHandle); // Close the file
 
        echo $hitCount; // Display the updated hit count
    } else {
        // Handle error opening file
        echo "Error: Unable to read the counter file.";
    }
} else {
    // File doesn't exist, create it and initialise hit count to 1
    $fileHandle = fopen($hitsFile, "w");
    if ($fileHandle) {
        $hitCount = 1; // Initial hit count
        fputs($fileHandle, $hitCount); // Write the initial hit count
        fclose($fileHandle); // Close the file
 
        echo $hitCount; // Display the initial hit count
    } else {
        // Handle error creating file
        echo "Error: Unable to create the counter file.";
    }
}
?>