How can PHP routing components improve the flexibility and maintainability of web applications compared to mod_rewrite?

PHP routing components can improve the flexibility and maintainability of web applications compared to mod_rewrite by providing a more structured and easily maintainable way to handle URL routing. With PHP routing components, developers can define routes in a centralized location, making it easier to manage and update routing logic. Additionally, PHP routing components allow for more dynamic and customizable routing patterns, making it easier to adapt to changing requirements.

// Using a PHP routing component like FastRoute to define routes

$dispatcher = FastRoute\simpleDispatcher(function(FastRoute\RouteCollector $r) {
    $r->addRoute('GET', '/user/{id:\d+}', 'UserController@show');
    $r->addRoute('POST', '/user/create', 'UserController@create');
});

$httpMethod = $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'];
$uri = $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'];

$routeInfo = $dispatcher->dispatch($httpMethod, $uri);

switch ($routeInfo[0]) {
    case FastRoute\Dispatcher::NOT_FOUND:
        // handle 404 Not Found
        break;
    case FastRoute\Dispatcher::METHOD_NOT_ALLOWED:
        // handle 405 Method Not Allowed
        break;
    case FastRoute\Dispatcher::FOUND:
        $handler = $routeInfo[1];
        $vars = $routeInfo[2];
        [$controller, $method] = explode('@', $handler);
        // call controller method with parameters
        call_user_func_array([new $controller, $method], $vars);
        break;
}