[HELP] Optimum way to read a file
 

I coded a plugin that requires to read a file which contains 50-60 steam ids.
Currently, it reads the file whenever a player connects.
Which way is optimum?
Reading the file everytime or using an array to store its contents once and reading them instead?

Re: [HELP] Optimum way to read a file
 

Doing something once, or doing something multiple times?

Once. ;)

Re: [HELP] Optimum way to read a file
 

Agreed. But actually my query was something else.
Let me put it this way.
Does it take more time & cpu consumption to read a file than looping through an array?

Re: [HELP] Optimum way to read a file
 

Yes, ridiculously so.

Re: [HELP] Optimum way to read a file
 

Reading a file whenever a user connect is a poor way in this case.
You can use a trie instead of an array.

Re: [HELP] Optimum way to read a file
 

Yep. Applied both trie and array combination. I saw Advanced Bans code. It was using that method.
Trie for finding the steam id, and array contained the rest of the necessary data.

Re: [HELP] Optimum way to read a file
 

You could use TrieSetArray/TrieGetArray; https://forums.alliedmods.net/showthread.php?t=201872

Re: [HELP] Optimum way to read a file
 

He could.



Best option could depend on content you have to store.