title: should i use empty() php function
body: <p>which is better?</p>
  
  <pre><code>if (!empty($val)) { // do something }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and</p>
  
  <pre><code>if ($val) { // do something }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>when i test it with PHP 5, all cases produce the same results. what about PHP 4, or have any idea which way is better?</p>