What are the differences between using $_POST, $_GET, and $_REQUEST in PHP for handling form data, and which one is recommended for beginners?

When handling form data in PHP, $_POST is used to retrieve data sent with the POST method, $_GET is used for data sent with the GET method, and $_REQUEST can be used for both POST and GET data. It is recommended for beginners to use $_POST for handling form data as it is more secure and prevents data from being displayed in the URL.

// Using $_POST to handle form data
if($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST"){
    $username = $_POST['username'];
    $password = $_POST['password'];
    
    // Process the form data here
}