How does the choice between storing database records in an array or processing them directly on the server impact the scalability of a PHP application?

Storing database records in an array can lead to memory issues and decreased performance as the array grows in size, impacting the scalability of a PHP application. Processing records directly on the server can be more efficient and scalable, especially when dealing with large datasets.

// Example of processing database records directly on the server
$query = "SELECT * FROM table_name";
$result = mysqli_query($connection, $query);

while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
    // Process each row directly without storing them in an array
    // This approach is more memory efficient and scalable
}