Hi, Folks,
Though the command proc_open() is shown as PHP 4.0-4.3 and PHP 5
compatible, the examples given are strictly PHP 5. The documentation
should reflect that issue to avoid confusion.
The key points:
1. proc_open examples are using five fields with the
proc_open function. That only works in PHP 5. PHP 4 can only use the
first three.
2. In the first example, the function stream_get_contents()
is used to retrieve the results from the child process.
stream_get_contents() only appears in PHP5.
People who are new to PHP may become frustrated with trying to
learn if an example given works only in PHP5 and they are working on
a system with only PHP 4.3 (or lower) on it, and they are unaware
that there is a difference.
If someone is trying to learn PHP, probably he/she should learn the latest version. (IMHO)
I've used the stream_get_contents() function to the example because it is much faster than the classic while(!feof($fp)). People need to see examples of how to use the new functions, so that they can start using them and improving the scripts' performance.
About the 5 parameters, we have a new documentation style (we are in the process of migrating) and we added a Changelog section. There, it is clearly stated when those parameters were added, so there isn't any problem. I wanted to use all parameters in the example (once again) to show its usage (thats the main purpose of the examples..).
Thanks for you email anyway,
Nuno