PHP script listening on a directory

Question

I have a PHP script configured to loop endlessly using set_time_limit(0) and for(;;). The script is coded to listen on a specific directory and wait for files. When files are detected, execute some commands and keep the loop going. So far this has been very successful for my needs, but I have concerns.

Are there any performance disadvantages to creating an infinite loop in PHP? How can I configure my server so that this script never stops running? Or perhaps alerts me when it has stopped running? I'd like it to launch on startup too. I have a SUSE SLES 10 box.

for (;;) {
    // Check for empty directory
    if (isEmptyDir($finishedDir)) {         
        // If so, move on
        continue;
    } else {
       // do stuff.
    }
}

No problem with runnin infinite loops. Just remember to sleep once in a while, or else the script will eat CPU cycles up for breakfast. — h2ooooooo
– h2ooooooo, Commented Mar 15, 2013 at 19:31
Alright then. I am using sleep() in the 'do stuff' part, but that only occurs when a file is actually detected. Should I be using sleep() at the end of every loop, regardless if a file is found or not? — Darius
– Darius, Commented Mar 15, 2013 at 19:59

2 revs · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 10:25:49Z

1

This may work, but PHP is not really designed for these kinds of daemon-like jobs. Linux/Unix has tailor-made tools like inotify that are guaranteed to perform better, and that can trigger a PHP script when a change event happens.

See this SO question: Monitor Directory for Changes

edited May 23, 2017 at 10:25

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2 revs
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1 Comment

cdarke Over a year ago

++ PHP has an Inotify extension.

Can Geliş · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-15 19:50:31Z

0

You may consider using memory (eg: memcached, apc) instead of using file because accessing a file is more costly than accessing the memory. And consider using a little sleep()s in order to add time interval.

answered Mar 15, 2013 at 19:50

Can Geliş

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