extracting visitors from access log

olaf

Hallo,

I want to extract the total number of visitors from access.log. (Like in webalizer) I want to place this number as a simple counter on a webapge.

Opening the log file and loop through all rows to get the unique visitors sounds a little to heavy for a counter. Is there something other to do?

Installer

You could use "file($array)" to put each line into an array, and parse out the IP's into another array. Then use "array_unique()" to remove the redundancies. Of course, that would involve a loop, but that, to me, seems to be efficient rather than "heavy".

olaf

....hmm

that's right's it's not so heavy but the server have to look in 10mb log file...

Installer

Yeah, but if you put the unique IP array into a file or db the first time, then add add and compare with that each time, you won't have to access the big file again. What I mean is, use the $_SERVER variable each time rather than opening the log file.

olaf

😃 yes, this is what i do on other pages, works fine. The point is i don't have an order for the site where i need it.

laserlight

Then create an additional file, or use a DBMS.

If you're trying to extract certain information from a format not designed for optimal retrieval of that information, then the process will be inefficient.

Too bad.
Unless you choose to use a suitable format instead.

olaf

Hallo,

i was looking for a possibillity to use existing data. (like from the log file)

Installer

My assessment is that you're s.o.l.

olaf

s.o.l.

😕

(i'm from another continent)

Installer

Sorry. s.o.l. = shit out of luck, meaning you're left with no recourse.

olaf

😉 ican live with that... i'm happy that php-builder is not my last hope...