>You could time-test by running the code iteratively a few thousand times the way it is and with the code broken up into legible lines. However, practical use in an app probably would not necessitate sacrificing readability in order to retain some miniscule performance gain. IMHO, there should be a reasonable [practicle, again] balance between maintainability of code and performance. Now if his function was really going to be his numerous times like in a SQL query, then I would shift back toward performance gains.


Well here's one way to try testing it.

Your mileage may vary but my averages on my 500mhz PIII were:

5.4546 with the fast return as coded by Mike and
5.8230 with the separate calcs done as follows:

@)$(&*((#&@*&*!))*#)#

I am pooling my hair out to cut and paste the code here. I keep getting
"You cannot include a style attribute inside a tag. This is in regards to the Message Field." when I try to preview it.

I get this whether I use the < per> < /per> tags or not ( without the spaces).