In what scenarios is it recommended to use hidden input fields for passing variables in PHP forms instead of directly in the action attribute?

When passing variables in PHP forms, it is recommended to use hidden input fields instead of directly in the action attribute when you want to securely pass sensitive data that should not be visible in the URL. This is important for maintaining the security and integrity of the data being passed between the form and the server.

<form action="process_form.php" method="post">
    <input type="hidden" name="user_id" value="<?php echo $user_id; ?>">
    <!-- Other form fields here -->
    <input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>