Just to check the performance of ReDim i made the following function.
It uses only KiX (No COM-objects)
It seems to be faster than Bryce's LoadFile()

Code:

Function ReadFile($file)

	Dim $i,$f,$L

	$f = FreeFileHandle

	$i = Open($f,$file)

	If @Error

		Exit @Error

	EndIf

	$i = 0

	$L = ReadLine($f)

	While @Error = 0

		ReDim Preserve $ReadFile[$i]

		$ReadFile[$i] = $L

		$i = $i + 1

		$L = ReadLine($f)

	Loop

	$i = Close($f)

	Exit VarType($ReadFile) = 0 ; Exitcode 1 if file is empty

EndFunction


Small code is not allways the fastest

In many other situations we might consider using the force of KiX.
This could be a starter for a new thread on performans of KiX for long strings, Split, Join and Redim Of arrays and ...

-Erik