How does PHP handle variable names in error messages?

When PHP encounters an error message involving variable names, it may display the actual variable names in the message, potentially exposing sensitive information about the code. To prevent this, it is recommended to use placeholders or generic terms in error messages instead of directly referencing variable names. 

// Incorrect way of handling error messages
$var = 'password';
if (empty($_POST['password'])) {
    echo "Error: Please enter a $var.";
}

// Correct way of handling error messages
if (empty($_POST['password'])) {
    echo "Error: Please enter a valid password.";
}

Keywords

PHP variable names error messages handling debugging

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