title: Efficient way to look up value based on a key in php
body: <p>With a list of around 100,000 key/value pairs (both string, mostly around 5-20 characters each) I am looking for a way to efficiently find the value for a given key.</p>
  
  <p>This needs to be done in a php website. I am familiar with hash tables in java (which is probally what I would do if working in java) but am new to php.</p>
  
  <p>I am looking for tips on how I should store this list (in a text file or in a database?) and search this list.</p>
  
  <p>The list would have to be updated occasionally but I am mostly interested in look up time.</p>