access a C library with php?

[sde]

is there a way to access functions in a c library with php?

[DJMaze]

The only ways i know is by writing your own PHP extension or an executable as wrapper.
There could be problems with executables though when the process need to stay running as seperate process.

[sde]

thanks DJM, i was hoping you would reply.

i was told today by a company we contract to that they could interface with a C library natively in PHP (not custom extensions) and when i prodded for the details, the confidence dropped and they said they tested it a long time ago and would have to email me the details.

if there is a solution, i will update this thread.

[teknomage1]

I suppose two other (not very appealing) ways would be to write a simulator/interpreter for c code, or to write a compiler that outputs php code. Both seem pretty labor intensive.