What are the best practices for comparing input data with database records in PHP?

When comparing input data with database records in PHP, it is essential to sanitize and validate the input data to prevent SQL injection attacks. One common approach is to use prepared statements with placeholders to securely query the database. Additionally, it is recommended to fetch the database records and compare them with the input data using PHP functions like password_verify() for hashed passwords.

// Assuming $inputData contains the input data to compare with database records

// Sanitize and validate input data
$inputData = filter_var($inputData, FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);

// Prepare a SQL statement using prepared statements
$stmt = $pdo->prepare("SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = :username");
$stmt->bindParam(':username', $inputData);
$stmt->execute();

// Fetch the database record
$user = $stmt->fetch();

// Compare input data with database record
if ($user && password_verify($inputData, $user['password'])) {
    // Input data matches database record
    echo "Input data matches database record.";
} else {
    // Input data does not match database record
    echo "Input data does not match database record.";
}