Run an external program with php

Question

i have a problem with php ! i want to run an external program with php . this program work in command line and in linux platform . so it must be work just fine . but i try more time and i can't run it . so what's wrong ! this is the link of the program : http://www.lalescu.ro/liviu/fet/ and this is the command which work fine in command line and not the case in php :

./fet --inputfile=Hopwood.fet --outputdir=out

and this is the php code :

<?php
`./fet --inputfile=Hopwood.fet --outputdir=out`
?>

i hope to solve this pb . thanks in advance ..

Update i upload the executable program and the Hopwood.fet file for you try it .. this is a link : http://rapidshare.com/files/454756427/fet.tar.gz

• user336242: It might help us if you formatted your code so we could see exactly what your trying to run.
• bcosca: are you sure you're running ./fet in the correct subdirectory?
• mkotwd: all right , i go to edit my question now .
• Treffynnon: As @stillstanding says. So you might like to try using the absolute path to your binary. eg. /usr/bin/local/fet --inputfile=Hopwood.fet --outputdir=out where /usr/bin/local is the directory containing fet
• mkotwd: @treffynnon i try but no way !

Answer 1

try doing it in full path:

/path/to/installed/fet --inputfile=/path/to/your/Hopwood.fet --outputdir=/path/to/your/out

so you'll end up executing:

exec("/path/to/installed/fet --inputfile=/path/to/your/Hopwood.fet --outputdir=/path/to/your/out");

Also, make sure running process has ability to write to your /path/to/your/out

UPDATE

To make thing's clearer, please try to run this command:

exec("/path/to/installed/fet --inputfile=/path/to/your/Hopwood.fet --outputdir=/path/to/your/out 2> /tmp/fet.error.log", $output, $status);
echo "status: " . $status;
echo "output: " . implode("\n", $output);
if(file_exists("/tmp/fet.error.log"))
{
 echo "Error Log: " . file_get_contents("/tmp/fet.error.log");
}

UPDATE

as @mkotwd told on another answer (after trying debug code, above). The problem is because fet trying to access X Server. So, as @mkotwd answer's the solution is add:

export DISPLAY=:0

and the command become:

exec("export DISPLAY=:0 && fet --inputfile=Hopwood.fet --outputdir=out");

• mkotwd: unfortunately , i set the right permission and the whole path but not work !
• symcbean: If the permissions are correct (you need execute on the program and on the input/output dirs and read + execute permission on 'fet' and any resources it requires) and you've checked that the webserver is not running chroot and you've not disabled execution functionality then it will work. Go back and try again.
• mkotwd: @symcbean thanks , if you can try the program , i set the link below
• mkotwd: nice : this is the output :status: 1output: Error Log: fet: cannot connect to X server
• ariefbayu: haha! as I though. this problem tell us that your application require X server and that's not usually available on hosting server: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System. I'm sorry, I can't help you anymore, if it's the problem.

Answer 2

It looks like you're running fet from a local installation (based on the ./fet command you've posted).

You need to add the location of your fet installation to your PATH variable.

On a linux system, edit your ~/.bashrc, and add the following:

export PATH=$PATH:/home/mkotwd/fet

if /home/mkotwd/fet is where you've installed fet.

Alternately, you can also make a directory ~/bin, add it to your PATH as explained above, and create a symlink ~/bin/fet that points to your fet executable. This is the recommended solution because you won't have to add to PATH the directory of every local command you might want to run in the future, you can just create symlinks to each executable in ~/bin

You might also want to check out http://php.net/manual/en/function.exec.php for calling details, security considerations, and miscellaneous tips posted by users who've used the command for various tasks.

• mkotwd: yes i try all this but is not work , the exec command return the 0 int if done , fyi the function return 1 value !!

Answer 3

Check php -i | less for:

• safe_mode
• configuration of suhosin, if installed

It might be one of those security measures, which prevents those critical commands (or both).

• mkotwd: the exec command work right for other program that i try , like resize with inkscape and mkdir command, ls .. the safe mode is off !!

Answer 4

the solution is to add this command before :

export DISPLAY=:0

so the code become :

<?php
exec("export DISPLAY=:0 && fet --inputfile=Hopwood.fet --outputdir=out");
?>

• Amey: You could've mentioned that fet tries to launch a window by default.
• ariefbayu: @Amey, you should read the whole comment and question and answers ;)