Store large content into a var or external file?

metalive

Which way is a better to store a long list: In a variable or an external file?

My page will contain a long list (over 300 lines). Should I store this list in an external file and have the file included at the right spot in the HTML, or store the list in a variable and then have that variable echoed at the right spot in the HTML?

😕

What are the differences (if any)? Which way would have the page load faster?

THX

Grisu

300 lines is not really big. I would suggest to choose the method easiest to maintain.
If it is a separate real text that you might want to change one day, it is often easier in a separate file. Disadvantages:
- the server has to load a separate file
- you have to take care of security for that file separately
If you have a complete HTML-File with some PHP-tags between, maybe the inclusion in the file is better to have an overview.
PHP has to parse the complete PHP-file and search for PHP-tags which are compiled. When you have HTML it will just have to read it. If you first create an array in PHP to print the array, it has to process the code.
Of help? Grisu