PHP include database

[thebox193]

I have an idea or method in which I would like to store data but i'm running into some problems.

 

Right now I'm storing all data inside one massive multi-dimensional include file. It contains data about every bit of information about a car. We went with an include file over a mysql database to avoid massive numbers of sql queries.

 

My idea is lighten the servers load and only include data about specific cars when they are needed per page.

 

In my mind I have the idea to make a folder structure that goes [make] -> [series] -> model.inc

The pages are build so that the url reflects which vehicles are being showed, aka the pages are aware of the data they would need, so php would be able to browse the folders correctly.

 

I created a function that received a series and model and would include the file. But I overlooked the simple fact that the include only stays alive for the duration of the function and won't actually include it back to the main page.

 

Any ideas where I should go from here?

[trq]

I would completely rethink your design. Filesystem lookups are going to be allot more expensive and more complicated then any database queries. Databases are built specifically to store information in a method that makes it easy to search.