php access external program? is it possible

[Dragen]

This'll probably be a no, but is php able to access external programs such as windows media player?

 

I'm just wanting to make a script that wil randomly pause the current song, then start again when a link is clicked.

If not, what type of scripting should I look into?

[per1os]

I think you can use www.php.net/system or www.php.net/exec  I am not sure if it works on Windows, I know it works on Linux. But you would have to use command line options or create a type of batch/macro or your own program that does the switching of songs for you.

[Dragen]

thanks for those links frost.

To be honest I think it's a bit over my head.. I didn't understand much of what it said.

I'm not wanting to display anything in the php file except a link wich will play the song.

 

I need the php file to access windos media player and after a random time, pause the playing of whatever track it is. Then when you click a link it starts the playing again.

 

I read the example for system() and didn't get it..

// Outputs all the result of shellcommand "ls", and returns

To sound stupid.. what's a shell command?

[per1os]

Shell is part of the Linux Enviroment, kind of like DOS but much more powerful and userfriendly. That is why I said I am not sure if it would work or not, more or less the exec function is what you are looking for.

 

I would suggest reading up on Windows Media Player and see if they are command line functions. If so you will need those to code something like

 

<?php
if (isset($_POST['next'])) {
       exec('wmplayer.exe -fNextSong -pPlay');
}
?>

 

Now what i posted above WILL NOT WORK, just an example of what you MIGHT need to pass. I am sure a googling might do you good. Let us know what you find if anything.

[Dragen]

thanks,

Just done a quick google search and it does support command lines (I get what command lines are now...)

http://support.microsoft.com/KB/241422

 

But it doesn't seem to have a pause function, so I guess it wouldn't work.

[per1os]

I do not think it listed all functions, try /pause before you give up completely. Remember you can test these in the command prompt (Start > Run > cmd)

 

Before you try implementing them in the script.

[Dragen]

okay.. I've never tried using this before.. I've opened up cmd.exe and I guess I need to type in the path to windows media player?

problem is it has a path typed in which I can't edit which is:

C:\Documents and Settings\myusername>

Not quite sure how to connect it to windows media player

[Dragen]

ah.. nevermind about exec().. I just tried testing an exec command (which was probably wrong..) and my server has exec disabled.

I might try and contact them about it.

[Dragen]

okay I've contacted my host and they say that they wont enable exec()...

 

Is there anything else I could try? I'm probably going to have to look into non-web script such as c++ or something..

I just wanted something quick to do and wanted it by Sunday.. oh well.

[per1os]

One thing you could do, is potentially create a program on your side that accepts incoming connection, maybe start up a localhost server and use no-ip.com to get you an ip and deny all ip addresses except the one that should be coming in on your server. From there you should be able to run the exec command. Just an idea.

[Dragen]

I've got no idea how to set up local hosts.. Is there a good tutorial or something about it?

[trq]

exec and the like run on the server, just like php. Sounds to me like you want to interact with programs on the client. This is not possible with php because it runs on the server.

 

You'll need either an ActiveX component or something similar.

[Dragen]

that's going to mean learning c++ or VB Script though...

ah well.. unless someone can link me to a script which already does what I need I'll have to forget about it. I needed it for sunday and haven't the time to learn c++ is one day I doubt anyone has.

 

Thanks for all the advice anyway

[trq]

What exactly do you want? You may be able to find a flash media player that you could embed into your pages. Its not real clear exactly what your wanting to do.

[Dragen]

I literrally waqnt something to access windows media player itself and pause files at random intervals, with a button to resume play.

 

It's not neccessarily for a website, just something I wanted to do.