What are the different methods for redirecting users in PHP, and when should each method be used?

When redirecting users in PHP, there are several methods that can be used depending on the specific requirements of the application. The most common methods include using the header() function, using the header() function with an HTTP status code, and using the meta refresh tag in HTML. For simple redirects within the same domain, the header() function is commonly used. If you need to redirect with an HTTP status code (e.g., for SEO purposes), you can specify the status code in the header() function. The meta refresh tag is useful for redirects where JavaScript is disabled or for delayed redirects.

// Using header() function for simple redirect
header("Location: new_page.php");
exit;

// Using header() function with HTTP status code
header("HTTP/1.1 301 Moved Permanently");
header("Location: new_page.php");
exit;

// Using meta refresh tag in HTML
echo '<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0;url=new_page.php">';