Can a PHP script run regularly on the server without requests from the client?

Question

I will write a script to parse text documents into a MySQL database. I will convert PDF to text using a separate utility. These PDF files will be sent via email attachments.

I am looking to see if I can do this with PHP, as the language of the server I'm most familiar with. The second option is Perl, but I will take your recommendations.

Thus, the language should be able to:

• Check your email account for attachment emails (every few minutes or so).
• Save the attachment.
• Parse a file (search for contact information) using regular expressions.
• And put the results in the MySQL database

I will not have full access to the server, as it will be hosted by GoDaddy or similar.

I am familiar with PHP, but I can’t think of how he would systematically check the mailbox. If PHP cannot do this, are there languages ​​that constantly work on a server that performs tasks without requests from a browser?

Thank.

Answer 1

You can do this with a PHP script controlled by a cron job .

Answer 2

You can regularly run HTTP requests using a service, such as http://www.setcronjob.com/

Answer 3

PHP .

cron (shell, perl, PHP, python.. ..).

IIS, Schedule Tasks Windows.

Answer 4

- . , , PHP script CLI php.

script , , , , ... , /.

Answer 5

Discard this child - http://www.iamjacksdesign.com/blog/check-pop3-email-with-php/ - there is also http://www.php.net/manual/en/ref.imap.php

You can use cron to regularly check your email script - http://www.codewalkers.com/c/a/Server-Administration/Introduction-to-crontab/