How can the use of the "eval()" function in PHP be optimized to reduce the risk of malicious code execution?

Using the "eval()" function in PHP can pose a security risk as it allows for the execution of arbitrary code. To reduce this risk, it is recommended to avoid using "eval()" whenever possible and find alternative solutions. If "eval()" must be used, ensure that the input is sanitized and validated thoroughly before passing it to the function.

$code = "echo 'Hello, World!';";
// Sanitize and validate the input before passing it to eval()
if (/* input validation condition */) {
    eval($code);
}