I agree with the general consensus here - # would be faster but by how much? Not alot. In my view a sample of code the size of # and $chan would make absolutely no discernable difference to the speed of a script.I've used both in the past and both methods produce the same result, save for a few poofteenths of a millisecond.
$chan certainly looks more code-like, professional perhaps. If one wants to take small gains in speed into account well # would then be the way to go.
