How do I pass variables and data from PHP to JavaScript?

I have a variable in PHP, and I need its value in my JavaScript code. How can I get my variable from PHP to JavaScript? I have code that looks like this: ```php <?php // Makes an API and database call $val = $myService->getValue(); ``` On the same page, I have JavaScript code that needs the value of the `$val` variable to be passed as a parameter: ```js <script> // I tried this, but it didn't work myPlugin.start($val); // This didn't work either <?php myPlugin.start($val); ?> // This works sometimes, but sometimes it fails myPlugin.start(<?=$val?>); </script> ```