exec() troubles

[Anon]

The site I'm writing a script for is running php version 4.0.3pl1. I am a rank amateur at php and I'm having a devil of a time getting exec() to return anything. My goal is to use curl to retrieve data from as secure site. My intent is to use exec() to the curl command. As in the example here:

http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/matt20000305.php3?page=2

However, I'm starting to wonder if exec() is working at all. It does nothing. It returns no data, or generates any errors regardless of the format I use. I hae experimented trying to exec() some other command (such as ls, ping, etc.) but nothing works.

Can someone give me an example of a use of exec() which should return some data? Or do anyting so I at least know it's working?

Thanks,

Michael

[Anon]

Exec will work, but here are some things to watch for:

1. If you read files or directories, check your permissions. Beware that the ownership may differ.

2. Before running exec, use telnet to test first, although see 1 above.

[Anon]

I did the telnet test before posting (in order to avoid embarassing myself) and it works. I'm not trying to read files but I'll keep point number 1 in mind should it come up!

Thanks,

Michael

[Anon]

Could it be a problem with PHP running in safe mode? While I don't use safe mode, I would think that exec() would be one of the commands turned off. Is this your server or a server you're hosted on?

Bob

[Anon]

It's a client's server. I'll check to see if they have it in "safe" mode.

Thanks!

Michael