Why is it recommended to work with IDs instead of usernames when updating database records in PHP applications?

When updating database records in PHP applications, it is recommended to work with IDs instead of usernames because IDs are unique identifiers that are faster to search and compare in the database. Using IDs also prevents potential issues with usernames that may contain special characters or spaces, which could lead to errors or security vulnerabilities.

// Using ID to update database record
$id = 1;
$newData = "Updated data";

// Connect to database
$conn = new mysqli($servername, $username, $password, $dbname);

// Update record using ID
$sql = "UPDATE table_name SET column_name = '$newData' WHERE id = $id";
$conn->query($sql);

// Close database connection
$conn->close();