Which method is recommended to prevent SQL injection in PHP?

Using prepared statements or parameterized queries is the recommended method to prevent SQL injection in PHP because it separates SQL code from user input. When you utilize prepared statements, the SQL query is defined and compiled before any user input is processed. This means that any user input is treated purely as data and not executable code, effectively neutralizing the risk of an attacker injecting malicious SQL commands.

This method is robust because it requires developers to define the query structure first, which can then safely incorporate user-provided data as parameters. As a result, no matter how the data is formatted, it can’t manipulate the SQL commands being executed. This not only protects against SQL injection but also enhances code readability and maintainability.

While input sanitization is helpful and can reduce risks, it may not catch all types of injection attacks, especially if the developer's sanitization logic is flawed. Validating user input through regular expressions can also help to some extent but doesn’t provide as comprehensive a defense as prepared statements. Stored procedures add another layer of abstraction and can provide some protection, but their security depends heavily on how they interact with the application code, and they are often not as effective if user input is not properly handled within those procedures. Hence, the use of prepared statements or