Re: Set up cron using PHP

On Thursday 07 October 2004 15:32, M. Sokolewicz wrote: > Petar Nedyalkov wrote: > > On Thursday 07 October 2004 13:17, Sheni R. Meledath wrote: > >>Hello: > >> > >> We need to set up a cron to send an automated email at regular > >>intervals. For this I need to execute a PHP file which retrieves the > >>required information to be mailed. On my virtual server PHP is loaded as > >> a module. Could you please let me know how can I execute a PHP file from > >> the shell prompt. > >> > >> I have tried with the following commands: > >> % virtual /usr/local/etc/httpd/htdocs/onlineeml.php > >> > >> It gives the below error: > >> /usr/local/etc/httpd/htdocs/onlineeml.php: cannot open ?php: no > >>such file > > > > just insert: > > #!/usr/bin/php -q > > > > in the first line of the script and make it executable (chmod u+x .... ). > > > >> I am not able to execute any general php related commands (Eg: > >> php -v, man p ect)from the Shell prompt. I am getting the error message > >> as "php: Command not found.". I think this is because PHP is loaded as a > >> module an not as a CGI version. In this context, could you please > >> provide some details in executing a PHP script from the Shell prompt > >> when the PHP is loaded as a module. > >> > >> > >> > >>Regards > >> > >>Sheni R Meledath > >>Assistant Manager - Web Development > >>***************************************************************** > >>Cyber Gear LLC > >>P.O. Box 53735 > >>Dubai, United Arab Emirates > >>Tel: (971 4) 331-2627, Fax: (971 4) 331-8812 > >>Email: sheni@cyber-gear.com, http://www.cyber-gear.com > >> > >>VISIT OUR ASSOCIATE SITES: > >>http://www.Click2Advertising.com > >>http://www.DubaiCityGuide.com > >>http://www.MiddleEastDirectory.com > >>http://www.MiddleEastEvents.com > >>http://www.MiddleEastPostBox.com > >>http://www.PressReleaseNetwork.com > >>***************************************************************** > >> > >>This message has been checked for all known viruses by McAfee. No > >> liability is accepted by virtue of checking this message and you are > >> recommended to have in place your own anti-virus detection procedures. > > actually, that path you gave depends on the system (OS), the way it's > installed and a whole bunch of other stuff. I agree it is the default, > and most common, location though. Yes, of course ;-) > > A different way of executing such scripts is by adding a cronjob like > * * * * * * /usr/bin/php -q /path/to/script > > This does exactly the same as what Petar said, except that the script is > passed to the interpreter, and thus the user that the crondaemon runs > the script as only needs read (and doesn't need execute) permission to > the script. Your way is better for cronjob use, mine is better if the user needs to deploy the script not only as a cronjob. > > However; To find out the path to the interpreter, since you're saying > you can't just call 'php -v' or any such commands, we'll need to > investigate further. > > One way of doing this is a bit "ugly", but it works. Instead of calling > PHP directly, we'll call the server and request the php script (if you > want, you can add tons of security shit in the call). We'll be doing > this using wget (on Linux systems). This workaround is fine, but I think using lynx or any similar browser can save the "rm -f" part. > > Imagine you'd like to run the following script: > <?php > // (let's presume it's located in www.example.net/scripts/bin/mail.php) > if($_GET['user'] == 'a' && $_GET['pass'] == > 'b') { > mail('test@example.com', 'sub','body'); > } else { > header('Status: 404 Not Found'); > exit; > } > ?> > > You can call this as follows: > ---- > * * * * * * wget > http://www.example.net/scripts/bin/mail.php?user=a&pass=b ; > rm -f > ./mail.php ---- > > The first part will call the server via an http connection to run the > script and show its output. It then downloads it to the directory run > from, and saves it. That is what wget does. The second part, after the > semicolon, the 'rm -f ./mail.php' will make sure to get rid of the file > after it's been run. > > I hope this small example, will help you ;) > > - Tul -- Cyberly yours, Petar Nedyalkov Devoted Orbitel Fan :-) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Orbitel - the New Generation Telecom! See www.orbitel.bg.

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