What are the recommended coding standards and practices for PHP scripts to enhance security and readability?

One recommended coding standard for enhancing security in PHP scripts is to avoid using deprecated functions and features, as they may have security vulnerabilities. Another practice is to validate and sanitize user input to prevent SQL injection and XSS attacks. Additionally, using secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and input validation can help mitigate security risks.

// Example of validating and sanitizing user input
$username = $_POST['username'];
$password = $_POST['password'];

// Validate input
if (empty($username) || empty($password)) {
    // Handle error
}

// Sanitize input
$username = filter_var($username, FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);
$password = filter_var($password, FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);

// Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection
$stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = :username AND password = :password');
$stmt->execute(['username' => $username, 'password' => $password]);

// Implement further security measures as needed