PHP file that accesses another PHP file

Question

I have a PHP file (accessible on my site) that modifies rows in a MySQL database. If there are a small number of rows, the file loads quickly. However, if there are a large number of rows (over a thousand and climbing), there is a noticable pause and I would assume that this could potentially time out. Additionally, for security reasons I would prefer that the user not interface with this file directly.

I would like to make a PHP file that the user can interface with directly, but when they click ok, this page shows "Finished" immediately. However, it should connect to the first PHP file in the background and allow the rows to be modified. I don't have a lot fo experience with PHP... how should I do this? Thanks.

If you will modify these rows using single SQL query, the issue should be probably gone. Otherwise you may wish to just use some kind of queues (simple solution involves adding tasks to one table and reading them by separate script fired using cron). — Tadeck
– Tadeck, Commented Aug 14, 2012 at 4:50
@vini Wouldn't that require the client's computer to connect directly to the first PHP file? — Jack Humphries
– Jack Humphries, Commented Aug 14, 2012 at 4:53

Nir Alfasi · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-14 04:52:16Z

2

You can do something like that:

echo "<html><h1>Finished!</h1></html>";
// now continue with your logic here
// ...

answered Aug 14, 2012 at 4:52

Nir Alfasi

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12 Comments

Jack Humphries Over a year ago

If the user loads a different page even if the PHP file isn't done, will all of the rows still be modified?

Nir Alfasi Over a year ago

@JackHumphries once the query starts executing - it will continue even if the user bails-out. Try it! :)

Gntem Over a year ago

@JackHumphries when user triggered the event to send a request to the server, and then moves the page, request is still being processed on server but he won't get a feedback unless you have a way to notify them.

Nir Alfasi Over a year ago

@GeoPhoenix according to the description he doesn't want to notify the user - just continue processing the records without making the user wait

Nir Alfasi Over a year ago

btw, another (and a bit more complicated) option is to implement this: stackoverflow.com/a/3833095/1057429

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Passerby · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-14 05:00:26Z

0

Make the "work" PHP runnable in CLI, and in the "interface" PHP, use this:

(Windows)

<body>
<?php
pclose(popen("start /B php work.php","r"));
?>
<h1>Finished!</h1>
</body>

(Linux)

<body>
<?PHP
pclose(open("php work.php > /dev/null","r"));
?>
<h1>Finished!</h1>

If you need to pass parameters, store them in some place (e.g. database or temp file) and let the "work" PHP read them there.

You can use set_time_limit(0); in the "work" PHP to make it run without time limit.

answered Aug 14, 2012 at 5:00

Passerby

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