Bill Guion wrote: > At 6:22 PM -0600 2/13/07, Richard Lynch wrote: > >> >> The most efficient way is "Don't do that." :-) >> >> Simply loop through the results and do whatever you want to do with >> them, and don't put them into an array at all. >> >> This question has appeared before, and usually breaks down to one of >> these scenarios: >> >> #1 > > snip 1 > >> >> #2 > > snip 2 > >> >> #2 does occasionally have an exception to the rule, where the SQL >> query is nasty and the PHP is fast and easy, but that's awfully rare. >> >> > > How about scenario #3: I wish to output my data in (for example) three > columns, as a phone book does. To make the example simple, assume 15 > data points. I wish the output to look like > > 1 6 11 > 2 7 12 > 3 8 13 > 4 9 14 > 5 10 15 > > So when I'm outputting row 1, I need data points 1, 6, and 11. Isn't it > easier to generate the query, put in array, and output the rows from the > array? Keep in mind, the number of data points might be variable, the > constraints being n columns with approximately the same number of data > point in each column. it not beyond the possible to output 3 blocks in series and use CSS to visually style the information according to the N-column layout you desire. given that what you describe is pure layout I don't think it hold up in theory, in practice your are often going to want to use a table to avoid a bunch of headaches ... then again a fancy bit of javascript could be used to rewrite the dom on the client side (i.e. build an N-column table/layout using blocks/elements of information that has been output serially ... then again that raises the issue of usability with regard to using javascript. .. just a thought. > > -----===== Bill =====----- -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php