What are the potential pitfalls of using multiple tables for similar data in a PHP database?

Using multiple tables for similar data in a PHP database can lead to data redundancy, inconsistency, and increased complexity in managing the database. To solve this issue, consider using a single table with additional columns to differentiate the data, or implement a relational database design to establish relationships between tables.

// Example of using a single table with additional columns to differentiate data

CREATE TABLE users (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    username VARCHAR(50),
    email VARCHAR(100),
    role ENUM('admin', 'user')
);