What best practices should be followed when executing PHP code on the same page in response to user actions?

When executing PHP code on the same page in response to user actions, it is important to use proper validation and sanitization techniques to prevent security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting attacks. Additionally, it is recommended to separate PHP logic from HTML presentation by using a template engine or MVC framework to maintain code readability and organization. Lastly, consider implementing error handling and logging mechanisms to troubleshoot and debug any issues that may arise during runtime.

<?php
// Validate and sanitize user input
if(isset($_POST['submit'])){
    $username = htmlspecialchars($_POST['username']);
    $password = htmlspecialchars($_POST['password']);
    
    // Perform necessary actions based on user input
    // For example, authenticate user credentials
    // Display appropriate messages or redirect to another page
}
?>