Need help with PHP and Linux

[dude4you]

Scenario:

1. We have a file called loop.php
2. loop.php does the following: Creates in alphanumeric invitations for 10000 users based on an algorithm.
3. When we call and process loop.php we get a blank page till the loop has completed
4. While loop is processing our CPU usage rises up to 100 %

Questions:

1. Is it a way to get rid off the blank page and be able to navigate trough my application while the php interpreter is processing the loop?
2. Is it a way to call loop.php not using the browser ( I mean from the server it self) ?
3. Is it a way to tell php or Linux that for loop.php we want a 60% or less CPU consumption?
4. If two or more users call loop.php at the same time. How does php works? Will it process first user and then the second one? Is it a way to control this.?
5. Can we a process waiting list with php and Linux?

[travelbuff]

dude:

I have a couple things you can try, no gaurantees though...

1. Try adding a sleep command to your loop to slow it down:
   http://us2.php.net/manual/en/function.sleep.php
   This should lessen CPU consumption but will make the script take longer to execute.

2. Try running the script via a lynx shell command:
   http://us2.php.net/manual/en/ref.exec.php
   Take a close look at proc_nice down the page. This should allow you to continue executing code and using the application while the loop runs.

3. Consider writing the script in perl and run it via a wrapper.

4. Consider having the script que as a cron job to run at off-peak hours.

Maybe someone else will have better suggestions.

[dalecosp]

PHP via CLI.

And, what are you inviting 10000 people to do? ...if this is spam, why should we worry about your CPU consumption?