Posted by NC on 11/04/12 11:41

enko wrote:
>
> Our company has developed a web-app that needs the ability to run a
> regular maintenance PHP script and use it also send out SMS/Email
> alerts on a regular basis, say at exactly 9AM and 2PM without user
> interaction. We're using shared hosting at the moment, so we have no
> access anything more than our file directory on the server and our
> database. To resolve this I've created a small vb.net app that accesses
> the maintenance script on our server at the preset times, which sends
> out the email and everything as it should. This is functional for now
> but I see this as a short-term solution considering the possible
> unreliability of running an app outside of the server on a home/office
> computer, also the possible security risks involved. I was wondering if
> anyone knew of a better solution. We're going to be upgrading to a
> dedicated server within a few months and surely there is a way for the
> server to automatically run a php script at regular intervals?

Since you are upgrading to a dedicated server, I think the problem is
not worth solving now. Just make sure you take appropriate precautions
against accidentally running the maintenance script too often (have the
script keep a log of its activity and do nothing unless it's time for
the next run).

Also, when you do upgrade, it's probably a good idea to run your script
from the command line...

Cheers,
NC

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