title: Indexing into nested arrays VS using a reference to the deepest level?
body: <p>Given a deeply nested array: <code>$array = array('nested' =&gt; array('so' =&gt; array('deep' =&gt; array())));</code></p>
  
  <p>...which is faster/'better'?</p>
  
  <pre><code>$array['nested']['so']['deep'][0] = 'a';
  $array['nested']['so']['deep'][1] = 'b';
  $array['nested']['so']['deep'][2] = 'c';
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>or</p>
  
  <pre><code>$deep = &amp;$array['nested']['so']['deep'];
  $deep[0] = 'a';
  $deep[1] = 'b';
  $deep[2] = 'c';
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Or are they the same? If so, is one preferable, and why?</p>