Can a PHP script be run regularly on a server without requests from a client?

Question

I\'ll be writing a script to parse text documents into a MySQL database. I\'ll be converting PDF\'s to text with a separate utility. These PDF\'s will be submitted via e-m

Answer 1

You can trigger the HTTP requests regularly using a service like http://www.setcronjob.com/

Answer 2

PHP itself cannot perform tasks by itself without a client request.

The common way to to use cron job to schedule run scripts (shell, perl, PHP, python.. etc).

If you are running on IIS, then you can use Schedule Tasks in Windows.

Answer 3

You can do it with a PHP script, managed via a cron job.

Answer 4

Cron Job is the way to go. Also, if I may make a recommendation, make certain to place the PHP script out of a web accessible directory and run it via CLI php.

If your script is placed in a directory that is accessible from the web, it's possible that it could run more often than desired... especially if a bot/crawler gets hold of it.

Answer 5

Check this baby out - http://www.iamjacksdesign.com/blog/check-pop3-email-with-php/ - there's also http://www.php.net/manual/en/ref.imap.php

You can use cron to run your e-mail check script regularly - http://www.codewalkers.com/c/a/Server-Administration/Introduction-to-crontab/