PHP Speed Optimization

I have a Helpdesk Management Utility that I have written in PHP. It is over 4 hundred lines of code. I was wondering to how to best optimize this. I do have several lines of code that are repeated. My main questions are: 1. How fast is a function contained with in a script. 2. If a require is within an if statement is the code required only if the if is true, or is it read on first scan of the document, and how fast is a require. 3. I am just curious because in today's world speed is needed, and if someone lags for just a few seconds they can get frustrated and leave. 4. Is their a better way to speed up scripts. Right now the main problem with speed of the script is that it is still in the development stage on my old laptop that has 32 megs of ram running windows98, mssql server and pws. The Microsoft products are a resource hogs. I do want to know my options when I go to implement this. Also, where can I find Database performance information for MYSQL vs MSSQL Server (as unbias as possible). Jeff Strain I really like the list although I do not have time to read 100% of the information. ******************************************************** Jeff Strain 80 WEST 900 South Helpdesk Administrator/Lead Operator P.O. BOX 3656 Saddleman, Inc. LOGAN UT. 84323-3656 Phone: (435)752-1000 jstrain@saddleman.com FAX: (435)752-5777 ********************************************************