How can cookies be utilized to transfer data between PHP pages and what are the considerations for using them effectively?

Cookies can be utilized to transfer data between PHP pages by setting a cookie with the data on one page and then retrieving the cookie value on another page. To use cookies effectively, consider setting appropriate expiration times, ensuring data integrity by validating and sanitizing input, and being mindful of potential security risks such as sensitive data exposure.

// Setting a cookie with data on one PHP page
setcookie('user_id', '12345', time() + 3600, '/');

// Retrieving the cookie value on another PHP page
if(isset($_COOKIE['user_id'])){
    $user_id = $_COOKIE['user_id'];
    // Use the $user_id variable as needed
}