What are the potential pitfalls of using variable variables in PHP, and why should they be avoided?

Using variable variables in PHP can make code harder to read and maintain, as it can lead to confusion about the actual value of a variable. It can also introduce security risks, as it allows for dynamic variable names which can potentially be manipulated by user input. It is generally recommended to avoid using variable variables in PHP and instead use arrays or objects to achieve the same functionality in a more structured and secure manner. 

// Avoid using variable variables
$varName = 'foo';
$$varName = 'bar';
echo $foo; // Output: bar

// Use arrays or objects instead
$varName = 'foo';
$variables[$varName] = 'bar';
echo $variables[$varName]; // Output: bar

Keywords

variable variables PHP security vulnerabilities code readability maintenance difficulties

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