PHP/Operating System Interface

[energycoffee]

Hello,

I've used PHP quite a bit for web development; however, since it's a scripting language, I'm wondering if it's possible to have PHP interface with the underlying operating system in some way.  For example, it's possible to GET the date from the operating system, but is it possible to SET it?  (This being on the server, of course)  The idea behind this is to create a web based interface to a computer (ie/ using web based tool to get/set/sync time with network server, execute applications, etc.) without having to worry about coding for a specific operating system.

I'm sure it's possible (even with a modified PHP binary) to execute applications on the server; which could do pretty much whatever needed to be done.  I was just wondering if it's possible - or if anyone knows of some existing libraries, that allow PHP to interface with the underlying operating system without having to actually write applications for each system (and just relying on PHP to make the changes).

I suppose I'm hoping this is similar to VBScript for Windows, that was implemented in ASP classic as a way to create dynamic web sites, but was also able to be used as a scripting language on the computer to perform different tasks such as setting the date/time or mounting network drives.  I understand that this is mostly OS-specific stuff, but I was just wondering what my options are.

I'm mainly interested in setting the date/time on the server through PHP, but was hoping that I could find some general information on interfacing PHP with the OS.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

[ShogunWarrior]

It is possible to do some things with system calls but in reality PHP isn't the language you want for the job.
If you really want to do it properly you should do it in Perl,C or C++
There mightn't be a lot of work involved porting the system if you abstracted the nitty gritty stuff (such as setting time) and kept the GUI the same.