fsockopen() vs direct $url = http://bla bla bla

[diana_253]

i want to know whats the different between these two.. both is to get connected to the remote server i know..but what's the benefits of using each of these two..

for fsockopen() i use fwrite() together with it to retrieve that remote file...this fsockopen() i believe is more complicted in coding coz i've used it..

for $url = "http://www.bla bla.com" is used the file_get_contents() to get the remote file...

i really want to know the benefits of each over the other..

[laserlight]

fsockopen() provides more functionality than fopen() or file_get_contents(). For example, you can set which port to use.

[diana_253]

owhh..then in my case if my LAN connection setting have auto cinfuguration set by the admin i guess i should use the file_get_contents rite..i've tried that one and its working and the fsockopen()m i believe i have to upload my file to hosting server outside in order for the files to get through the firewall..i dont know..i guess that might be it..

which one is faster btw?