$var1 vs $item['var1'] - is there any difference?

[Frozen_Kiwi]

As a rule, I'm quite skillful at finding answers (that's why I didn't post before 😉) but recently I've puzzled myself with a question I was unable to find an answer for. So here it is: Is there any difference between the two code versions below (I mean the performance difference, of course) or are those two different coding standarts?

Version 1

while ($item= mysql_fetch_array($query)) {
       $var1 = $item['var1'];
       $var2 = $item['var2'];
       $var3 = $item['var3'];

  $foo = $var1 . $var2 . $var3;
}

Version 2

while ($item= mysql_fetch_array($query)) {
      $foo =$item['var1'] . $item['var2'] . $item['var3'];
}

Would be appreciated for explanations and/or links. 🙂

[SargeZT]

There would be appreciable delay on the first one, simply because you're assigning three extra variables. Admittedly, it would be far outweighed by joining strings.

And, it is easier to follow in the single variable version.

Not that anyone would think bad of you for using the first one.

[Frozen_Kiwi]

Thanks a lot. Actually, joining strings was the first example that came into my head so it doesn't really matter...

[_theworks]

yeh you normally find that the code that needs be executed the faster it does it 😉 so i say stick with the 2nd 1

[Weedpacket]

Appreciable being a loaded term here. Sure, if you reckon a microsecond or two iteration is "appreciable".

More important is whether your code is legible to humans who may have to read it. Source code is for their benefit, after all. Go with whichever version is easier to read.

[Frozen_Kiwi]

Many thanks for enlightening me! I'll be making my choice...