Can you run a php script using crontab?

[jloch]

Hi -
I have a php script that sends an e-mail autoresponder on form submit. I would like to send it not immediately, but at a certain time in the future; that date/time will be set using a date field on said form.

So, I'm new to linux, but I was thinking of how I can use a cronjob to kick off this event.

Q: Can I run a php script using crontab? If so, how does that work?

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide me.

php/linux newbie,
jloch

[sglane]

Yes, you can run in a crontab. I do it all the time for automation. What you need is php compiled as a cgi (you can have both cgi and apache module). At the top of the script I do something like
#!/usr/local/bin/php -q
<?
code ...
?>

You should then chmod 755 the file. Hope this helps

[jloch]

Thank you for the fast and excellent response. My brain is going wild with all the things I just realized I can do ;-)

Thanks again,
jloch