How to call Win32 API functions ?

[Timothy Madden]

Hello

I would like to use php-cli as a sort of shell scripting language or
generic scripting language.

I have php 5.2 on WindowsXP and I would like to call Win32 API functions
like GetShortPathName.

How do I call API functions in PHP ? The documentation says there is an
extension called w32api, but if you read its documentation you find a
note stating the extension is now in PECL, and after browsing PECL you
find the extension is not there !

Apparently w32api used to work in PHP 4 but has not been ported to PHP5.

So how does one call API functions ? Nobody needs that ?

Can someone at least remove the w32api documentation from the php 5
manual ? Or keep only a note instead saying the extension has not been
ported ?

Thank you,
Timothy Madden,
Romania.

[NC]

On May 18, 2:38 am, Timothy Madden <[e-mail]:

>
So how does one call API functions ?

By writing custom PHP extensions in C/C++. In your particular case,
you will need to write an extension that would wrap around
kernel32.dll and expose its functions to PHP.

Alternatively, you can add PHP support to .Net and write your PHP
scripts in Visual Studio making use of everything available to a .Net
developer:

http://www.php-compiler.net/

Nobody needs that ?

Personally, I can't remember ever needing this. The built-in file
system functions have been adequate.

Can someone at least remove the w32api documentation from the php 5
manual ?

There is no such thing as "the PHP 5 manual". The PHP manual is not
version-specific and covers everything from the now-antiquated PHP 3
to the now-in-development PHP 6.

Cheers,
NC

[Timothy Madden]

NC wrote:

On May 18, 2:38 am, Timothy Madden <[e-mail]:

>So how does one call API functions ?

By writing custom PHP extensions in C/C++.

[...]

Alternatively, you can add PHP support to .Net

[...]

>Nobody needs that ?

Personally, I can't remember ever needing this. The built-in file
system functions have been adequate.

>Can someone at least remove the w32api documentation from the php 5
manual ?

There is no such thing as "the PHP 5 manual". The PHP manual is not
version-specific and covers everything from the now-antiquated PHP 3
to the now-in-development PHP 6.

[...]

I do not want Microsoft, so I do not want .Net. As far as I know you
have to pay for it, while php is free.

It is easier to write the script I need, the one that uses
GetShortPathName, in C++ than to write a php extension.

I would like to know if there is anybody else who needed to call some
Win32 API function from php, maybe from php-cli.

Thank you
Timothy Madden,
Romania

[Curtis]

Timothy Madden wrote:

NC wrote:

>On May 18, 2:38 am, Timothy Madden <[e-mail]:

>>So how does one call API functions ?

By writing custom PHP extensions in C/C++.

[...]

>Alternatively, you can add PHP support to .Net

[...]

>>Nobody needs that ?

Personally, I can't remember ever needing this. The built-in file
system functions have been adequate.

>>Can someone at least remove the w32api documentation from the php 5
manual ?

There is no such thing as "the PHP 5 manual". The PHP manual is not
version-specific and covers everything from the now-antiquated PHP 3
to the now-in-development PHP 6.

[...]

I do not want Microsoft, so I do not want .Net. As far as I know you
have to pay for it, while php is free.

I believe you can download the SDK for free.

It is easier to write the script I need, the one that uses
GetShortPathName, in C++ than to write a php extension.

I would like to know if there is anybody else who needed to call some
Win32 API function from php, maybe from php-cli.

If you really need that function, you could always call your program
within the php script:

<?php
$shortPath = exec('myproggy ' . escapeshellarg($longPath));
?>

Curtis

[Tim Roberts]

Timothy Madden <te**********@gmail.comwrote:

>
I do not want Microsoft, so I do not want .Net.

What are you talking about? You said you were looking for the Win32 API.
Who do think created that? Apple?

>As far as I know you have to pay for it, while php is free.

The .NET runtime is a free download. In fact, it's probably one of the
options waiting for you in Windows Update, if you don't already have it.
And you can fetch a Visual Studio 2008 C# compiler for free as well.
--
Tim Roberts, ti**@probo.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

[Timothy Madden]

On 20 Mai, 07:06, Tim Roberts <[e-mail]:

Timothy Madden <[e-mail]:

I do not want Microsoft, so I do not want .Net.

What are you talking about? You said you were looking for the Win32 API.
Who do think created that? Apple?

As far as I know you have to pay for it, while php is free.

The .NET runtime is a free download. In fact, it's probably one of the
options waiting for you in Windows Update, if you don't already have it.
And you can fetch a Visual Studio 2008 C# compiler for free as well.
--
Tim Roberts, [e-mail]
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

Well if you have their C++ compiler they will not give you the C#
compiler
or something like that, and the license limits you to evaluation use
only.

Anyway I found WinBinder and with it I could call GetShortPathName.
Timothy Madden,
Romania

[Tim Roberts]

Timothy Madden <te**********@gmail.comwrote:

>On 20 Mai, 07:06, Tim Roberts <[e-mail]:

>Timothy Madden <[e-mail]:

>I do not want Microsoft, so I do not want .Net.

What are you talking about? You said you were looking for the Win32 API.
Who do think created that? Apple?

>As far as I know you have to pay for it, while php is free.

The .NET runtime is a free download. In fact, it's probably one of the
options waiting for you in Windows Update, if you don't already have it.
And you can fetch a Visual Studio 2008 C# compiler for free as well.

Well if you have their C++ compiler they will not give you the C#
compiler or something like that,

Complete and utter nonsense.

>and the license limits you to evaluation use only.

Also utter nonsense. The Express Edition doesn't include all of the extras
from the paid editions, but there are no additional restrictions on what
you can do with it.

There's plenty to dislike about Microsoft, but please take the time to find
out the truth before spreading rumors.
--
Tim Roberts, ti**@probo.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

[AnrDaemon]

Greetings, Timothy Madden.
In reply to Your message dated Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 11:58:28,

Well if you have their C++ compiler they will not give you the C#
compiler or something like that, and the license limits you to evaluation
use only.

I see it as a clear case of "RTFM or STFU"...
Really, why guess if you can just read?
They even released Visual Studio Express IDE for free.
Not just compiler. (Commandline compiler were *free* for ages)

Anyway I found WinBinder and with it I could call GetShortPathName.

Yes, that's what I was about to suggest. Glad you've discovered it first.
--
Sincerely Yours, AnrDaemon <an*******@freemail.ru>