Getting Cron to execute a php script

micmac

Hi all,
I was wanting to execute a php script via a cron job.
I know how to write the cron but the server admin staff are telling me

you cannot add a php script to cron, you can only call perl and cgi
scripts.

What i want to know is what exactly do i need to add the the cron or the php script inorder to get it to execute?

Cheers,
micmac

mahers

I think you need the path to PHP, this will be placed in the she-bang line of your script.


#!/usr/local/bin/php -q

// Php script.

Check out http://www.planet-source-code.com/vb/scripts/ShowCode.asp?txtCodeId=388&lngWId=8 for more info.

Weedpacket

But if PHP is not running as a CGI, then the #! path won't exist.

In that case, what you might be able to do (admin staff willing) is to have your cron job start lynx (or similar command-line driven, text-based http client) and pass it the URL to the script you want run

(Forget the precise formulation: a search on this forum for "lynx" would be sure to turn it up though.)

mahers

That URL also displays how to run it by using lynx.

jacob_kochi

First write following codes in a file and save it as cronjob.txt

30 lynx -dump http://yoursite/filetoexecute.php

Now create another php file name start_cron.php

$a=system( 'crontab physicalpath/cronjob.txt',$errorvar);
echo "err=$errorvar";

Now run the file start_cron.php. the cron job will be set.

getDizzle

If you have access to command line on your server type:

which php

If you get a path to php that means php is indeed installed as an executable binary on your server. Use that path to put at the top of your script like so:

#!/path/to/php/from/above/step
<?php

your script

If which php returns an error that means your host did not install a separate php binary so use the helpful advice above with using lynx.