PHP Short tags - Are they slower than regular syntax?

Question

Is writing

<?=$variable?>

slower than

<?php echo $variable; ?>

In other words, what does the server interpret faster?

Answer 1

I can guarantee you with absolute certainty that it won't matter one bit. :)

Answer 2

I don't think there will be a huge difference - but short-tags essentially have to get essentially converted first into the normal syntax when executed. I expect the differance is minimal - I have never tried to benchmark it!