How to run php script as root

[davlau]

Are there any method, other then setting the apache to run as root, to run a php script with root privilege? actually i am writing a script for system backup, it would be a lot convinenve if i can have one script run as root.

[Anon]

why dont you use crontab for system backup? you can add a job for a root user to backup what you need and leave apache as it is. i dont think setting apache to run as root is a very good idea.

[[deleted]]

Indeed.
You can complie PHP as a CGI binary,
which means you can start a script from the commandline in the crontab:
php -q scriptname.php

If you really really must have a webserver to make your script work, I suggest you make a seperate new webserer process that runs on a different port than 80,
block that port from any address other than your workstation, use SSL to connect to it, and have that webserver run your script using SUDO. (Note, do not make this webserver run as root)