Downloading files with PHP

fp_unit · 07-06-2005, 10:53 AM

I'm in the process of contemplating a switch from Perl to PHP for this project we're working on. Its a document producer tool for our website - we need to host a bunch of documents in our database and when documents are uploaded in the producer tool, they automatically display on the website. I'm kind of the lead programmer on this project (OK - the only programmer) and I have a good idea how to go about doing it, but I think it would be easier to maintain down the road if I use a language with much better OO support (php). OO in Perl is weird, and I'm not going to lie and say I know how to design procedural systems well - I dont.

So my question about PHP is: how would I go about downloading files over the Internet? In Perl we used the wget() series of utilities and I'm wondering what the equivalent is in PHP4 or 5 (preferably at least PHP-4.3.xxx). I need a way to pass an HTTP or FTP URL such as http://random.website.org/path/file.pdf and have this function download the file to where I tell it, such as /var/docs/only_writable_directory/company and report back results to me.

Thanks

redhead · 07-06-2005, 11:45 AM

You might want to use something like a combination of fopen(), fread(), fwrite() and fclose() for support on every php version.
There are functions like file_get_contents() and file_put_contents() or stream_get_contents() but they are not supported on older php versions.

teknomage1 · 07-06-2005, 01:52 PM

PHP 4's object support isn't any better than perl's just superficially easier to use. If you're definitely going to use php make sure you go with php5. Also, if you use php as the display layer, there's no reason you have to discontinue using perl for your data gatthering needs. The database and file system can act as the glue between the languages in your application.

fp_unit · 07-06-2005, 04:07 PM

After more reading I agree about the object support in PHP4 - bleh. I'd definately install PHP5, I'd just have to be really careful, I dont want to be the IT guy who screws up the webserver

Its now a tossup between PHP5 and Java Servlets - I like the type safety of Java but I like the easy configuration of PHP. I'm laying out the design solution now then I'll pick a language based on how much OO I'll actually need.

One more question - if anyone knows, how is the support for polymorphism in PHP5?

sde · 07-06-2005, 04:29 PM

PHP5 has a lot more OO support than PHP4, but it is still not a strongly typed language. Wouldn't this mean that polymorphism isn't really anything to consider with PHP?

And as for the java servlet thing, .. I think PHP is by far a more efficient tool to develop, deploy, and maintain web applications with. ( especially if you come from a perl background ) .. Just opinion though =)

teknomage1 · 07-08-2005, 10:50 AM

Actually if you're looking for a language with the power of perl but good object features, you should check out Ruby. In Ruby everything even strings are objects. Also many people are saying good things about the web framework for Ruby called Ruby on Rails.

redhead · 07-08-2005, 11:00 AM

Man, It's been ages since I last used Ruby... It kinda reminds me of ADA.

teknomage1 · 07-08-2005, 11:03 AM

Quote:

It kinda reminds me of ADA.

Cool and top secret?

fp_unit · 07-08-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teknomage1

Actually if you're looking for a language with the power of perl but good object features, you should check out Ruby. In Ruby everything even strings are objects. Also many people are saying good things about the web framework for Ruby called Ruby on Rails.

I want something that people can understand after I leave. If I had it my way I would just write my CGI's in C++ and download some Apache mods to keep the binary cached in the server.

Anyways this projects out the window for a while, some jerk rooted our server and deleted our website

redhead · 07-08-2005, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Cool and top secret?

Nah, rather that everything is it's own object, only difference is that in the ADA object style, everything has it's own semaphore.

redhead · 07-08-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

If I had it my way I would just write my CGI's in C++ and download some Apache mods to keep the binary cached in the server.

If you like, I have some cool routines written in C, which fetches any POST or GET value and gathers it in a 2Dvector like structure.