This document compares the performance of the PHP functions explode() and preg_split() for splitting strings into arrays. Explode() is faster than preg_split() since it only splits on a fixed delimiter, while preg_split() is slower because it uses regular expressions to split, making it more flexible. A script performance test showed explode() taking 2.4 microseconds compared to 10.9 microseconds for preg_split(), demonstrating preg_split() is around 5 times slower for string splitting. The conclusion recommends using explode() unless regular expressions are needed and to be aware of performance impacts when working with large amounts of data.

1. PHP Performance Test between
Explode() & preg_split()
Chakrit P.
Softnix Technology
Co.,Ltd.

2. Explode()
http://php.net/manual/en/function.explode.php

3. Preg_split()
http://php.net/manual/en/function.preg-split.php

4. Compare Explode * Preg_split
Explode
• Return Array
• Fix word
• Faster
Preg_split
• Return Array
• Flexible
• Slower

5. Script performance
test for explode

6. Speed
Explode() Preg_split()
0.0000024=2.4µs 0.0000109=10.9µs

7. Conclusion
Preg_split() slower than Explode() around 5x
Please awareness about regular expression in many
data