In the context of PHP programming, what are some common data validation techniques that can be applied to user input before inserting it into a database using MySQLi prepared statements?
When inserting user input into a database using MySQLi prepared statements in PHP, it is essential to apply data validation techniques to prevent SQL injection attacks and ensure data integrity. Common validation techniques include sanitizing input data to remove special characters, validating input against expected formats, and using parameterized queries to bind variables securely.
// Example of applying data validation techniques before inserting user input into a database using MySQLi prepared statements
// Sanitize and validate user input
$username = filter_var($_POST['username'], FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);
$email = filter_var($_POST['email'], FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL);
// Create a prepared statement
$stmt = $mysqli->prepare("INSERT INTO users (username, email) VALUES (?, ?)");
// Bind parameters
$stmt->bind_param("ss", $username, $email);
// Execute the statement
$stmt->execute();
// Close the statement
$stmt->close();