Do you have access to the DB? If so, I'd suggest creating a view so that your queries from PHP are more simple. Maybe that will simplify things for you. I'd still suggest using queries instead of simply large arrays. That being said, if you know the load you are going to place on these and the array works fine there shouldn't be any reason to avoid it. Best practices are good, but there is something to be said for ease of coding which breeds better maintenance.

What's a better method, using Large Array vs SQL Joins?
Following up from my previous question, which I'd raised because I have concerns that my non-stick wok will need replacing very soon (again), and was having a think about "standard" pans.

I'm not currently interested in differences in care/cleaning/etc, I think those are quite well covered in other questions.

So, I'm wondering what's the difference in the required technique when using them to cook food?
