PHP to Download File from Web Server ?

melissa_may1

[b][red]This message was edited by melissa_may1 at 2007-4-12 8:7:44[/red][/b][hr]
Hi All:

I'm sure you all can clear up my confusion easily!

What happens between the webserver and the client when the user types a URL that returns a data file? As a result of typing the URL, the browser pops up a "File Download" dialog, and asks "Do you want to open or save this file?"

Here's what I'm trying to do: I want to automate the download of a data file that I get from a webserver daily. Now I manually download the data file to my workstation, then run a program that parses the data file and puts the data into a MySQL database.

I have a webserver with Apache and MySQL and PHP all set up.

I have a PHP script that I use for users on a website to upload files to the server, but that's not what need...

Can I use PHP to do this? Can anyone give me some tips on where to start? I'm so confused!

Thanks!


[purple]Melissa[/purple]

PrzemekG_

: [b][red]This message was edited by melissa_may1 at 2007-4-12
: 8:7:44[/red][/b][hr]
: Hi All:
:
: I'm sure you all can clear up my confusion easily!
:
: What happens between the webserver and the client when the user
: types a URL that returns a data file? As a result of typing the URL,
: the browser pops up a "File Download" dialog, and asks "Do you want
: to open or save this file?"
:
: Here's what I'm trying to do: I want to automate the download of a
: data file that I get from a webserver daily. Now I manually download
: the data file to my workstation, then run a program that parses the
: data file and puts the data into a MySQL database.
:
: I have a webserver with Apache and MySQL and PHP all set up.
:
: I have a PHP script that I use for users on a website to upload
: files to the server, but that's not what need...
:
: Can I use PHP to do this? Can anyone give me some tips on where to
: start? I'm so confused!
:
: Thanks!
:
:
: [purple]Melissa[/purple]
:
:

If you have a linux workstation, place a script in /etc/cron.daily/ or configure your /etc/crontab to point to your downloading script.


in PHP:
[code]
#!/usr/bin/php
$data = file_get_contents("http://address.to.data/myData.file");
file_put_contents("/tmp/myData.file", $data);
system("php my_data_processing_script.php /tmp/myData.file");
[/code]

in shell script:
[code]
#!/bin/sh
wget http://address.to.data/myData.file -O /tmp/myData.file
php my_data_processing_script.php /tmp/myData.file
[/code]

spw2000

Very elegant - wish i was working on a Linux workstation - am stuck with a windows one instead but your solution is exactly what i need for my situation - how does your solution translate in to Bill Gates World???

Forget the scheduling - i am battling to get the code to download a file - all my attempts seem to get a file from the server and put it on the same server....