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Just trying to figure out if using custom fields instead of creating categories (to organize my data) will cause more strain on the server.

Thanks.

If you disable categories, you could save a query or two, but it really shouldn’t make much of a difference. It will probably depend on the server and your setup, so you’d have to test it out: I have a hunch that it won’t matter at all in the grand scheme of things.

thanks.

The queries used for search:field however, might not be as fast on certain MySQL environments, depending on how you’re using it.  The reality is, your decision about whether to use categories or fields for this type of content filtering should be made apart from performance.  In all but the most extreme conditions, the trade-offs of one will balance out the other, making the most important decision which method has the clearest meaning to your publishers, and separation for other use.  i.e. fields offer no parent/child relationships, while categories do not allow arbitrary information entered on the fly.