What is the purpose of using eval() in PHP and what are the potential pitfalls associated with it?

The purpose of using eval() in PHP is to execute a string as PHP code. However, it is generally not recommended to use eval() due to security risks, as it can allow for arbitrary code execution and make your application vulnerable to attacks such as code injection. To avoid using eval() and mitigate the associated risks, you can refactor your code to use alternative methods such as functions or conditionals to achieve the desired functionality without the need for dynamic code execution.

// Avoid using eval() by refactoring the code to use functions or conditionals
$variable = "Hello World";
echo $variable;