What is the recommended method for handling form submission in PHP to ensure data validation and error handling?

When handling form submissions in PHP, it is recommended to use server-side validation to ensure data integrity and security. This involves checking the submitted data for any errors or invalid input before processing it further. By implementing proper error handling techniques, such as displaying error messages to the user and preventing malicious data input, you can create a more robust and secure form submission process.

<?php
// Check if form is submitted
if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST") {
    // Validate form data
    $name = $_POST["name"];
    $email = $_POST["email"];
    
    // Check for empty fields
    if (empty($name) || empty($email)) {
        $error = "Please fill in all fields.";
    }
    
    // Validate email address
    if (!filter_var($email, FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL)) {
        $error = "Invalid email format.";
    }
    
    // Process form data if no errors
    if (!isset($error)) {
        // Process form data here
    }
}
?>