When you read from a disk you get a minimum of 512 bytes read (one sector) but in reality the disk reads and buffers a decent sized chunk (varies but ever wondered why disks have RAM?). Practical experimentation reveals an optimum read size (for a perl match type program) of 1-4MB as outlined in the RE:Performance Question link.

OK 3 bytes is fine if all the bytes are different and there is no overlap - you did not specify.

cheers

tachyon

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