Backup URL for remote XML request?

[Kristoff1875]

Currently using the following which is working fine:

 

//set POST variables
$url = 'primaryurl.com';
$fields = array(
            'strUserName'=>urlencode('***'),
            'strPassword'=>urlencode('***'),
            'strClientRef'=>urlencode('***'),
            'strClientDescription'=>urlencode('***'),
            'strKey1'=>urlencode('***'),
            'strVersion'=>urlencode('***'),
            'strVRM'=>urlencode(***)
        );


//url-ify the data for the POST
foreach($fields as $key=>$value) { $fields_string .= $key.'='.$value.'&'; }
rtrim($fields_string,'&');

//open connection
$ch = curl_init();

//set the url, number of POST vars, POST data
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_URL,$url);
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POST,count($fields));
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS,$fields_string);

//execute post
$result = curl_exec($ch);

 

How would I go about adding in a backup url incase the first is down? Can I add it to the $url tag? Or would I be best to add $backupurl and then using it in the following part:

 

//set the url, number of POST vars, POST data
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_URL,$url);
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POST,count($fields));
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS,$fields_string);

 

Saying if $url gives a response then use it, if not then use $backupurl?

 

Any help appreciated massively.

[xyph]

<?php

$feeds = array('arhaerhar.com','ltyfukfnyf.com','google.com','arhaergae.com');

do {
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_CONNECTTIMEOUT,1); // 1 second timeout I'm impatient
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_URL,current($feeds).'/index.html');
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER,TRUE);
//curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POST,count($fields));
//curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS,$fields_string);
echo 'Trying '.current($feeds).'/index.html<br>';
$result = curl_exec($ch);
} while( $result === FALSE && next($feeds) !== FALSE );

if( $result === FALSE )
echo 'No feeds worked';
else
echo current($feeds).' feed worked';

?>

 

Trying arhaerhar.com/index.html
Trying ltyfukfnyf.com/index.html
Trying google.com/index.html
google.com feed worked

[Kristoff1875]

Will that only try the second if the first doesn't work?

 

Thanks

[xyph]

I don't know. I guess you could try it or something.

 

Or perhaps try to figure out the logic. I mean, in what cases would $result === FALSE, causing the loop to continue?

 

Does my example output include the attempt after google.com works?

[Kristoff1875]

Well, thanks for the great help (genuine) and the snooty follow up (sarcasm)!

[xyph]

Sorry, no patience for those who don't try before they ask ;)

 

I guess I could use nicer ways to encourage that, but it' so much less fun! Best of luck with your script. If there's any logic you need elaborated, feel free to ask.

[Kristoff1875]

I normally would have tried before doing anything, but was on hold with Go Daddy for half an hour and had literally just been connected as I read your post.

[Kristoff1875]

Here's what i've tried:

 

$feeds = array('url1?','url2?');

$fields = array(
            'strUserName'=>urlencode('username'),
            'strPassword'=>urlencode('password'),
            'strClientRef'=>urlencode('ref'),
            'strClientDescription'=>urlencode('desc'),
            'strKey1'=>urlencode('key'),
            'strVersion'=>urlencode('version'),
            'strVRM'=>urlencode($vrm)
        );

foreach($fields as $key=>$value) { $fields_string .= $key.'='.$value.'&'; }
rtrim($fields_string,'&');


do {
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_CONNECTTIMEOUT,1); // 1 second timeout I'm impatient
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_URL,current($feeds));
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER,TRUE);

curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POST,count($fields));
curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS,$fields_string);

$result = curl_exec($ch);
} while( $result === FALSE && next($feeds) !== FALSE );

curl_close($ch);

$str = ob_get_contents();
ob_end_clean();

 

The errors etc are handled by the next page:

 

But seemingly it's not grabbing any info with what i'm using.

[Kristoff1875]

It may also be important to mention i'm posting the url with the username etc at the end, for example:

 

url1?strUserName=username&strPassword=password&etc

[xyph]

curl_setopt($ch,CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER,TRUE);

changes the way your script works.

 

Rather than use output buffering, the response is stored in the $result variable.

[Kristoff1875]

Ah ok, so does it doesn't grab the results from the xml? As the page that calls the page that has the code above, then calls the results as follows:

 

$xml = simplexml_load_string($str);

$vrm = (string)$xml->DataArea->Vehicles->Vehicle->VRM_Curr; 
$make = (string)$xml->DataArea->Vehicles->Vehicle->DVLA_Make;
$model = (string)$xml->DataArea->Vehicles->Vehicle->DVLA_Model; 

 

So would that mean the way that handles need changing?

[xyph]

It does, but rather than outputting the results of the cURL request, it stores it in the $result variable.

 

Yes, it needs a minor change. $str doesn't contain anything, because your ob_get_contents() returns nothing.

[Kristoff1875]

Perfect thank you.