alternative to $_POST

Question

I have a huge form with inputs of type (text, checkboxes, hidden et). The content of the form inputs are taken from a database. The user has to make some changes and to save the

Answer 1

There is absolutely nothing wrong in POST itself. You just have to use it properly
An HTTP standard says you ought to make a GET redirect after receiving POST request.
So, as easy code as this

    header("Location: ".$_SERVER['PHP_SELF']);
    exit;

after processing your form will solve all your "problems"

in case you want to handle post errors, you can use POST/Redirect/GET pattern. However it does not redirect on error, the problems you mentioned becoming negligible.

here is a concise example of it:

 $val) {
      $form[$key] = htmlspecialchars($val);
    }
} else {
  $form['name'] = $form['comments'] = '';  
}
include 'form.tpl.php';
?>  

on error it will show the form back. but after successful form submit it will redirect as well.