Why should variable variables be avoided in PHP code?

Variable variables should be avoided in PHP code because they can make the code harder to read and maintain. Using variable variables can also introduce security vulnerabilities if not properly sanitized. Instead of using variable variables, it's better to use arrays or objects to store dynamic data.

// Avoid using variable variables
$varName = 'myVar';
$$varName = 'value';

// Use arrays or objects instead
$data = [];
$data[$varName] = 'value';