how to generate a thread in the server?

amu_roja

I am developing a online e-learinig system. In this i am developing exam module.

The exams are not active to the user. Whenever they need to take the exam we activate the exams.
The timing for the examination is 3hrs. after three hours the exam will automatically go to in-active state.

this is the logic. I want some help how to generate a child process in the server when the enter into the exam. the thread is running up to three hours whether they closed the webpage or etc. after three hour this thread will in-activate the exam.

Please help me.

Regards
Amudhan

mrhappiness

UPDATE exams
SET active = (startdate + INTERVAL 3 HOUR >= NOW())

should set the active flag in your table

SELECT
  exam_id,exam_title
FROM exams
WHERE active = 1

selects all active exams

just a thought

amu_roja

I don't need any query

I know the query

I want to create a child process which will run in the server and when the time exceeds it will deactivate the exam status ok.

if any one knows how to create thread in the webserver useing php help me

regards
amudhan

mrhappiness

you can't create a new thread inside the webserver and expect it to be active as long as you wish

only thing you can do is check the current date and time and compare it to the date stored in your database.
this can be done either when submitting the exam or by a script that is executed every x hours/minutes/seconds (cronjob)

if you prefer the 2nd option you have to check the exam's status anyway before storing the user's answers