Is the 'dl' function a bad idea to use?

Hey, thanks for your time. You are busy, so I'll be brief A.) If I were to use it, for a gd or mysql library, not oftenly, certainly not more than 100 requests per day, would it affect the server negatively? B.) Is there a delay in using it as oppossed to compiling them during installation (or recompile) I ask as I am not familiar at all with this feature, but saw it in some code, (For ming, actually, to make flash movies) and it worked well for me So, if I use it, am I doing myself a disservice? Or not? Thanks, I have no clue Joel Ps. In case one asks why I'd use such a method, I am picklehead, no intelligent answer, can be provided, I am just curious as I wasn't really aware of such an option earlier on. Thanks ;)