[Keyne]

Hi all,

I'm using this code below to create a cron job that start an script to save images one minute after the call:

PHP Code:

// ....

        $date = date("i h d m w", mktime(date("h"), date("i") + 1, date("s"), date("m"), date("d"), date("Y")));



        $command = $date." root /opt/lampp/bin/php -f ".$cfg['path']."pages/atualizarFotosUsuarios.php?acao=start"; 

        $cron_file = $cfg['path']."cron/fotosUsuarios"; 

        

        # Check for fotosUsuarios file. If it doesn't exist create it.

        # You must create the file from the browser to associate the proper group

        if (file_exists($cron_file)) {  // if it exists, write new command

            $open = fopen($cron_file, "w"); // This overwrites current line

            fwrite($open, $command);

            fclose($open);

        } else { 

            # If it Doesn't exist, Create it then write command

            touch($cron_file); // create the file, Directory "cron" must be writeable

            chmod($cron_file, 0777); // make new file writeable

            

            $open = fopen($cron_file, "w");

            fwrite($open, $command);

            fclose($open);

        }

        

        # Start the cron job!

        exec("crontab ".$cron_file);

//.... 

But this didn't work and to see why, I access the server via ssh and check if the cron was created, and it was not. To check if the comand is correct I try to execute by comand line: crontab /filename, and shows I my screen that has erros, and I open the file with VI and save again with out changes I try again put in cron tab, now works! Have you any idea about this problem?

[<?Wille?>]

Apache doesnt have permissions to create cron jobs?

[id10tn00b]

wouldnt

PHP Code:

exec("crontab ".$cron_file); 

be

PHP Code:

exec("crontab $cron_file"); 

or

PHP Code:

exec('crontab '.$cron_file); 

?

thats just what i saw off the bat... of course, if you are starting crontab as a different user than the one for the crontab you want

PHP Code:

exec("crontab -u username $cron_file"); 

from man crontab:

Code:

SYNOPSIS
       crontab [-u user] file
       crontab [-u user] [-l | -r | -e] [-i] [-s]

[Keyne]

Thanks, I'm gonna try this.

But about use the variable inside the quotes, this change nothing. And I always use the variables outside the quotes, my premise is that inside the quotes I put only string, variables always go outsite for proporuse of organization and readiness (code coloring). I hate when I open a code and have to see variables with red color.

[<?Wille?>]

Going slightly off topic but PSPad highlights variables inside strings (when a normal quote (") is used) with the default variable color, which sometimes is good and sometimes not. Though it also parses ?> inside a string as a ending tag for php which is a pain when writing more complex regex patterns for example.

[id10tn00b]

notepad2 and vim also color variables inside double quotes. it reminds me when i put a variable inside a single quote that it will be processed as a text string instead of a variable...

[Keyne]

I think this is irrelevant, its only a personnel particularity. The two editor I use don't do that (Eclipse and DW).
But my educational premisse is: Inside quotes, only strings.

[Keyne]

id10tn00b,

I didn't have sucess with your code, I think it can be related with utf8 enconding? What do you think? The php file that create the cron file is in utf8 and always I open an php file with VI the accent didn't appear.

Have any way to create a file with touch saying the codification? Or nothing there to be ?

Originally Posted by <?Wille?>

Apache doesnt have permissions to create cron jobs?

I have total access to the server via ssh with root.


The error I receive when I try to put in crontab is:

"cronFile":1: premature EOF
errors in crontab file, can't install.

[Keyne]

I solve the problem "premature EOF" adding a new line at end of the file, but the php do not add the file to the crontab even with the the line

PHP Code:

exec("crontab ".$cron_file); 

but if I test it in ssh, it's ok.

Someone can help me?

[id10tn00b]

im not sure, but this might help:

Code:

       crontab [-u user] file
       crontab [-u user] [-l | -r | -e] [-i] [-s]

it may be that your apache user doesnt have a shell (apache shouldnt) so i dont think it can execute a cron... i could be off on that but you might try using:

PHP Code:

exec("crontab -u user ".$file); 

replacing user with a valid username of course...
maybe?

when your server parses it, the crontab uses the current user by default and apache usually runs as apache:apache
when you are logged in and run the command straight from a php script on a command line, the crontab entry goes as your current user.

just like if you use su- to go into root to edit crontab for root for instance, you should use crontab -u username so that crontab doesnt try to use the underlying username instead.

thats just from what i learned about crontab