[SOLVED] Cron to clear a folder

[gerkintrigg]

Hi. I'd like to create a cron to empty a folder of temporary images and just wondered how to go about doing it. I'm happy with how to work the cron tab... but do i just write a script and point the cron to it?

 

What would the script look like to clear a folder of ALL files?

 

Do I need to think about security issues too? Thanks.

[ignace]

You are experienced with cron so just call this snippet, buf before you do use this,

add the absolute folder path in sFolder!

 

<?php

// Folder !!!NO TRAILING SLASH!!!
$sFolder = '[folder comes here]';

// Delete all files within the folder
DeleteRecursive($sFolder);

// Function
function DeleteRecursive($sFolder) {
    // open folder
    $pFolder = opendir($sFolder);

    // read through folder
    while (false != ($sFile = readdir($pFolder))) {
        $sAbsolute = $sFolder . "/" . $sFile;
        if ($sFile != "." && $sFile != "..") {
            if (is_file($sAbsolute)) {
                unlink($sAbsolute);
            } else { // Directory assumed
                DeleteRecursive($sAbsolute); // Remove all files within the folder
                rmdir($sAbsolute); // Remove the folder
            }
        }
    }
}
?>

[Vikas Jayna]

How about using a simple linux command in cron:

 

rm -rf <foldername>/*

[gerkintrigg]

cool... so i can just use that linux code in the cron? and can i just add php files to the cron to execute those then?

 

with the linux code - do i need to have the whole path in the foldername tag?

[Vikas Jayna]

There is no need of adding any php files. Here is the crontab code for executing the command at 00:00 hrs everyday

 

00 00 * * * /bin/rm -rf <foldername>

 

And yes the complete path to the folder has to be given.