Save PHP Output To File

mark99uk

Ok I'm a true newbie and have only just started getting into PHP, so don't expect me to know much of anything =).

Anyhoo I've got a reviews system and I've managed to setup a separate .php file that outputs some specific data from this system. The code for the file, we'll call it topy.php, that pulls this data is as follows:

<?php
$cfg[install_dir] = "/homepages/system/";

require "/homepages/system/config.php";
require "/homepages/system/include.php";

reviewer_db_connect();
reviewer_init();
?>
<?=reviewer_best_rated_items(5,1);?>

In short, the above accesses the system and calls some common data (top 5 reviews from category ID No. 1). The output is basic and looks like this:

ProductName - 9.25
ProductName - 9.00
ProductName - 9.00
ProductName - 8.75
ProductName - 8.75

Now I'd like to include that output on my front page, yet calling the file above would be too CPU intensive. A better solution would be to load the file and somehow have it output the data above to a separate 'static' .txt or .php file.

I could then use a cron or fakecron job to run it periodically or even manually to update the static file. My problem is that I haven't the faintest idea how to get the output into a separate file (note: would also need to clear the static file before each new run of topy.php so as not to double up the data).

Any help?

bad76

Hi,
you can save it with fopen / fwrite on a file, but must be on a public directory. Else you can make an storage table with only two field, product & value, and periodically empty it and refull...

see you.

Natty_Dreadlock

Not a problem at all cause reviewer_best_rated_items(5,1); returns the data which are sent to the user with that <?= syntax. So when you call your function like this:

$result = reviewer_best_rated_items(5,1);

$result should now contain those data. Now store em to a file:

$fp = fopen("static.txt", "w");
fwrite($fp, $result);
fclose($fp);

Now static.txt contains the list. To output in on your frontpage, use:

echo implode("", file("static.txt"));

So u just have to call the file that creates static.txt when u wanna have an updated list...
Hope that helps, if u encounter further questions feel free to post again

mark99uk

Thanks, I'll give that a try and see what happens.

mark99uk

WORKS PERFECTLY!

Thanks so much for your help.