What are the advantages of using PHP for server-side form validation compared to client-side validation methods?

When using PHP for server-side form validation, the main advantage is that it ensures data integrity and security by validating user input on the server before processing it. This helps prevent malicious attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting. Additionally, server-side validation guarantees a consistent user experience across different browsers and devices.

<?php
// Server-side form validation example
$errors = [];

if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST") {
    // Validate form fields
    if (empty($_POST["username"])) {
        $errors[] = "Username is required";
    }
    if (empty($_POST["email"]) || !filter_var($_POST["email"], FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL)) {
        $errors[] = "Valid email is required";
    }

    // Process form data if no errors
    if (empty($errors)) {
        // Process form data
    }
}
?>