What are the advantages of handling URL requests server-side rather than client-side in PHP?

Handling URL requests server-side in PHP provides better security by keeping sensitive information hidden from the client-side. It also allows for easier maintenance and scalability of the application as all routing logic is centralized on the server. Additionally, server-side URL handling can improve performance by reducing the amount of data transferred between the client and server.

// Example of handling URL requests server-side in PHP

// Define routes using a switch statement
$route = $_GET['route'] ?? '';

switch ($route) {
    case 'home':
        include 'pages/home.php';
        break;
    case 'about':
        include 'pages/about.php';
        break;
    case 'contact':
        include 'pages/contact.php';
        break;
    default:
        include 'pages/not_found.php';
        break;
}