php cron = php cli script?

Question

I need to write a php script that needs to be executed every 10 mins, so I'm going to setup as a cron job like this:

*/10 * * * * /usr/local/bin/php -q /path/to/my/file.php

there is no timeout for command line script, which means when running cli script set_time_limit doesn't need to be extended

I have a few questions regarding this:

if I run my php using: */10 * * * * /usr/local/bin/php -q /path/to/my/file.php, will file.php become an command line script (which means it won't timeout)?
do I have to add line: #!/usr/bin/php -q inside file.php?
according to: http://www.php.net/manual/en/features.commandline.introduction.php I have to make sure cli is enabled (--enable-cli) so is it mean that if php is running as cgi (ie. fastcgi) or cli is not enabled (--disable-cli) then I can't setup any cron at all?

Please advise.

Worth noting that many shared hosts still kill processes that run for too long, regardless of the presence or absence of set_time_limit. — Niet the Dark Absol
– Niet the Dark Absol, Commented Jul 9, 2014 at 10:43

joaquin · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-04 17:16:28Z

2

/usr/local/bin/php this runs your php file
1) it dont have timeout
2) no
3) if php runs in command line your cron will run.

joaquin

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answered Sep 4, 2013 at 16:55

Biswajit Maji

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