[SOLVED] How to find out that the conversion is done and ready

[asmith]

Hi,

 

In a script, I will give a file to a converter :

e.g

<?php
exec('converter.exe file.ext');
?>

 

converter will convert the file in some time. (depends on the file size)

 

When the converter is done, It will save a file to the same locaton as file.ext2

With the same script I need to file_get_content('file.ext2');

 

If I put that code after the exec line, It will probably give me the file not found error if it is in the middle of the conversion and no one has been generated yet.

 

What is the fastest way to ask for the file EXACTLY after the conversion is done?

 

I thought about putting a loop like

 

<?php
while (!file_exists('file.ext2'))
      continue;

// If php is here, then file is generated
file_get_content('file.ext2');
?>

 

Is it a good way? Any better and faster way?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

[trq]

If I put that code after the exec line, It will probably give me the file not found error if it is in the middle of the conversion and no one has been generated yet.

 

Your script will wait at the call to exec() before continuing.

[asmith]

oh ok, Nice

 

What if the conversion fails or takes much time?

[trq]

Your script can't move on until your function call returns a result.

[asmith]

hmm, Possible to set a time to the exec? Like move on after 5 sec if no result from the exec?

[trq]

Nope.

[asmith]

Ok, Thanks a lot for the info

[Daniel0]

What you can do is to fork the process, but it will only work on Linux/Mac.

[trq]

Even then, I wouldn't go forking within a web server environment.