Multiple include() for classes

[access9]

Hi,

In our inventory application, we have a reporting section. Each class is made available via an include() statement at the beginning of the report page. While the class is not instantiated until it's needed, does using multiple include() statements take up additional memory?

It's to the point where we have 10 reports, so that's 10 report classes, a Utilities class and a DB class all getting included when the reports page is hit.

Each report is landed upon by the user choosing a form option, then parsed using ifelse to instantiate the requested report class. Instead of using the multiple includes at the beginning, would a better option be to include() the class in the ifelse?

This pertains to PHP4, if that's relevant.

-a9

[rehfeld]

yes it would be more efficient to only include the classes you will need.

one thing i like to do is use require_once() for classes. it helpfull if for example, you include a class that requires another class to be defined. you could put require_once in the class file itself at the top. that way you will always make sure to load all required classes without risk of defining it twice.

[access9]

I thought so. Fortunatly its pretty easy to move the include() statements around.

thanks