[SOLVED] exec() does nothing

[asmith]

Hi,

 

On my pc, Windows XP OS, I run this :

 

<?php
exec('program.exe');
?>

 

It does nothing and shows a white page.

I've checked my php.ini,

Safe mod is off and error reporting is set to

error_reporting = E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE

 

Something obvious I'm missing?

[trq]

What exactly do you expect it to do?

[asmith]

This command line works in the windows run :

 

"e:\program.exe" "e:\test" /param10

 

It sends the folder test to the program.exe, program.exe converts files in the test folder.

 

How do you do such command with php?

 

The php script is in the same folder as the program.

<?php
exec('"program.exe" "test" /param10');
?>

 

It shows a white screen and don't work.

 

I tried

<?php
exec('hexEditor.exe');
?>

 

just to see if it opens up the hexeditor being in the same folder. but it doesn't and still a blank page.

 

 

[trq]

Firstly, the programs aren't going to open any windows. Your server doesn't have permission to do that.

 

As for your other problem. php has a limited path set usually, so you will need to supply the full path to your .exe file to exec.

 

You might also try making use of exec()'s second and third arguments so you can at least try and get some feedback from your request.

[asmith]

Thanks thorpe.

 

I set the output variable I and tired few different way and finally got it working

[RussellReal]

I find it also important to note, if you use exec in a php script which is executed thru the command line, you'll recieve the output in the cmd window, but if you want to use exec anywhere like on ur web server, you'd want to use backticks or like thorpe said,  specify the output variable.

 

backticks r ` ` which is shorthand for exec and returns the value

 

$ping = `ping phpfreaks.com`;

[asmith]

Good to know, Thanks