What is the recommended approach for displaying alert messages in PHP, client-side or server-side?

When displaying alert messages in PHP, it is recommended to use a combination of client-side and server-side approaches. This ensures that the user receives immediate feedback on their actions through client-side alerts, while also allowing for server-side validation and error handling to maintain data integrity and security.

// Server-side validation example
if(empty($_POST['username'])){
    $error = "Username is required.";
}

// Client-side alert example
<script>
    <?php if(isset($error)){ ?>
    alert("<?php echo $error; ?>");
    <?php } ?>
</script>