how to use exec()

[gauri]

Hi
I want to execute a command on the cmd prompt thru php..

Exp: I want to execute 'ls' and store the list in a file.
I tried using exec() function but it returns 1..
not able to see the list.

how to go about it?

[Banfa]

I imagine that as a security precaution this may have been disabled.

[dbunny]

Try

"which php"

If it doesn't find it, then look in /usr/local/bin/ or /usr/bin

If you're on windows, gotta find the directory for PHP and add it to your PATH env varible.

Other wise, you just do

php -f thing.php

and thing.php is

#!/usr/local/bin/php
<?php
system("ls -l");
?>

What platform are you on?

[gauri]

I am working on windows platform..
I am using WAMP.


I want to execute a command on command prompt and redirect its output to a File..
How to go about it??

[sashi]

Hi Gauri,

first off all check the system environment variable for the PHP path.. since ur working of WAMP the environment variable should have been created by default provided u have installed .msi version.. btw which version of WAMP did you install??

another shortcut to find the PATH is.. goto ur command prompt n type the command PATH.. see what you get n make sure the PHP path is listed there as well..

then to execute as command.. lets assume.. save the below as notepad.php

<?php
passthru("c:\windows\system32\notepad.exe");
?>

then from the cmd prompt.. type..

c:\path-to-php\php.exe c:\path-to-the-notepad.php

tips of the day..

the shell_exec() command can also be used.. this command is more suitable when it comes to executing shell command.. :)

good luck..