What are the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to passing variables through hyperlinks in PHP?

When passing variables through hyperlinks in PHP, there are several approaches such as using GET parameters, POST requests, session variables, or hidden form fields. GET parameters are easy to implement and can be bookmarked or shared, but they are visible in the URL which may pose security risks. POST requests are more secure as the data is not visible in the URL, but they are not bookmarkable or shareable. Session variables are secure and can be used to pass data between pages, but they require server-side storage. Hidden form fields are another option for passing variables, but they can be manipulated by users. 

// Using GET parameters
<a href="page.php?variable=value">Link</a>

// Using POST request
<form action="page.php" method="post">
    <input type="hidden" name="variable" value="value">
    <button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>

// Using session variables
<?php
session_start();
$_SESSION['variable'] = 'value';
?>
<a href="page.php">Link</a>

// Using hidden form fields
<form action="page.php" method="post">
    <input type="hidden" name="variable" value="value">
    <button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>

Keywords

GET method POST method query strings session variables URL parameters

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