using the exec() command php

Question

I am trying to run a test script to see if a bigger project I have in mind will work. On my wamp server, I have my index calling this separate php script:

<?php

exec("cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++");
exec("notepad++.exe");
echo "didn't crash";
?>

All I need the program to do is open notepad++. I have tried putting a shortcut in the same directory at which it's called (www), running a shortcut from the desktop, and now accessing the exe itself. Every time I use it, it runs and says "didn't crash", yet it never opens notepad++.

The php manual for exec(http://php.net/manual/en/function.exec.php) shows an example that seems too simple, yet it works. So does the system() example.

All I need is access to the cmd so I can call on files. Right now it is just exe's, but it will eventually be jar's/py's that will post to text files.

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 10:33:32Z

1

<?php

$ret = exec('START C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\Notepad++.exe', $output, $error);

// Debug
var_dump($ret);
var_dump($output);
var_dump($error);
?>

Update

maybe your php hasn't permissions to run commands on your wamp: https://stackoverflow.com/a/9161752/1721486

edited May 23, 2017 at 10:33

CommunityBot

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answered Aug 10, 2014 at 16:40

spinsch

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1 Comment

Adam the Mediocre Over a year ago

Thanks, after trying your answer, it unfortunately didn't work, but It did lead me to something. I downloaded ProcMon, a sysinternal suite program, and it helped me find the process once it was called. I set up a shortcut in c:\ to avoid the filepath, which helped, and the cmd process is marked as a success, not blocked. Not sure what else is going on..

Jared Henderson · Accepted Answer · 2014-08-10 16:38:53Z

0

on a mac, you'd need the command to actually open the app, like:

exec( 'open SomeApp.app' );

I think on Windows you would use 'start' (?)

exec( 'start notepad++.exe' );

answered Aug 10, 2014 at 16:38

Jared Henderson

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Comments

Kenneth Hippolite · Accepted Answer · 2024-08-02 17:58:43Z

0

You said WAMP server, and I imagine you already checked this, but is Apache running as the logged-in user? Otherwise notepad is up on some desktop you cannot see.

answered Aug 2, 2024 at 17:58

Kenneth Hippolite

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