Which code executes faster?

Anon

Hi, I have this code:

--- Begin Code 1 ------
$db = new DB_sql;
$db->query("SQL QUERY HERE");
if ($mode = "short") {
$display_file = "display_data_short.php";
} else {
$display_file = "display_data_long.php";
}

while ($db->next_record()) {
$item1 = $db->f("column1");
$item2 = $db->f("column2");
include("display_file");
}
--- End Code 1 -----

--- Begin Code 2 ------
$db = new DB_sql;
$db->query("SQL QUERY HERE");
if ($mode = "short") {
$display_file = "display_data_short.php";
} else {
$display_file = "display_data_long.php";
}

while ($db->next_record()) {
$item1 = $db->f("column1");
$item2 = $db->f("column2");
require("display_file");
}
--- End Code 2 ------

The only difference between the two is one uses include, the other uses require. Which one is faster? or is it the same speed?

What actually happens? If there are 10 records, does it mean the script will load include/require file 10 times? or only 1 time when the script 1st execute.

Thanks ....

MSN

daarius

the difference of the speed between include() and require() is hardly noticeable.

The difference between include() and require() is that, if you have include() inside an if statement, and if the statement is true then the include() will be executed. And if similarly you have require() in if statement, then no matter if the statement is true or false, the require() will get executed in all casses.

And yes, include() or require() will get repeated as many times as you have the loop's life. This can cause some troubles, e.g. duplicating the functions etc.

To get round this problem, you must use include_once() or require_once(). this makes sure that the file is onyl incouded or required once. These functions are only supported after php4.0.1pl1 version.

And by the way, in above code the condition in if statement should have '==' and not just = . that will make it true in all cases.

good luck,
Daarius...

simon_belak

doesnt require execute only once (eaven if it is inside a loop)?

daarius

require will get execute again inside the loop. unless you use require_once()

simon_belak

But the PHP manual states:
"Similarly, looping structures do not affect the behaviour of require(). Although the code contained in the target file is still subject to the loop, the require() itself happens only once.

This means that you can't put a require() statement inside of a loop structure and expect it to include the contents of a different file on each iteration. To do that, use an include() statement."

Anon

That's exactly what i thought. If i use require, if it executes once, then it must be faster, right? Cas then PHP doesn't need to go look for the file, and load it to the script everytime while condition returns true.

But thanks to Daarius for the information about include_once and require_once. I guess if PHP comes with that functions, then in the above scripts, both include and require executed many times. Otherwise, why bother with new include_once and require_once functions ....