Efficiency Question

[MrMoocow]

Okay, Just a quick question.
I've got a PHP script that combines my header and footer with content spliced in the middle. That is to say that, "index.php?p=About" will pull up the about page and splice it in with the content. This is done with some security checks, error checks and finally three includes. My question is, with this being called many times, is this too ineffecient, is there a way to cache this? Or is PHP quick enough to make the clock cycles irrelevant.

Or finally, is there just a better way of doing this?

Any input is appreciated and I'm sure the brilliant members of Tek-Tips will provide much insight.

 

[DRJ478]

It's hard to give a definite answer.
Is your PHP running as an Apache module, as CGI, on a Windows System?
What's the server like? Is it a i386, multiprocessor SUN etc.?
Load? What's the usual number of requests per minute?
Way too many things to consider.

 

[MrMoocow]

Hm, This is all very true. I never really thought to check such things intially, not sure why I didn't. I guess for now, I'll gather some data so I can make more accurate questions.