LCC-win32: Drupal Cron: Difference between revisions

{{Uc nav lcc-win32}}

'''LCC Drupal Cron''' (Portable Cron)

== Requirement ==

Our program will periodically run the following system command line:

udrive\usr\local\php\php.exe -n udrive\www\run_cron.php

It runs '''php.exe''' in CLI mode (switch '''-n''' prevents php.ini file being read), which in turn runs script '''run_cron.php''' located in the server web root folder www. This script contains a single line which runs  Drupal’s '''cron.php''' script.

== Coding ==

From the above you can start coding. I tend to add loads of comments in the hope when re-read in the future I will understand it. Its all a mater of personal style the following is one coding solution:

int main(int argc,char *argv[])

   //== Variables

   int delay;                    // Delay required

   //== Default values

   int default_delay=600000;    // 1000ms gives 1s delay

                                 // 600000 = 10 mins

   //== Set variables according to parameter supplied ===================

   {

strcat(error_message, path_to_drupal);

return 1;                        // Give up its not going to work

   }

   {

strcat(error_message, path_to_php);

return 1;                        // Give up its not going to work

   }

  //== Build command string ==============================

  strcat(cmd_string, path_to_php);

  strcat(cmd_string, path_to_drupal);

  //== End Build command string ==========================

             // process exrernally killed.

}

'''''Note'':''' If you are looking for particular functions check out LCC standard library. Click Help link (top right ) from the drop down menu you will find various help files including the standard library.

It is possible to create your own function to check the existence of a file the code would look similar to this:

bool file_exists(const char * filename)

{

     FILE *fp;

     {

         fclose(fp);

     return false;

}

This may in certain situations produce unreliable results hence its far better to use a function specifically designed for this task hence the reason for using this function:

_access(path_to_drupal,0)

'''''[[#top | Top]]'''''

=== Command Window ===

If you use the standard system command to run php.exe

system(cmd_string)

a command window opens until the program executions ends. Although relatively fast it produces an annoying black screen flash.

Ideally the program should be run in a hidden window hence the use of this function:

_System(cmd_string, SW_HIDE)

'''''[[#top | Top]]'''''

=== Create Project ===

# Start LCC

## Name of the new project: Enter '''drupal_cron'''

## Sources: Click '''Browse''' navigate to E:'''\lcc\projects''' click '''OK''' add '''\drupal_cron''' to give '''E:\lcc\projects\drupal_cron'''

# Delete everything in '''drupal_cron.c'''

# '''Copy''' the above code into '''drupal_cron.c'''

'''''[[#top | Top]]'''''

=== Test for errors ===

# Create the following folder chain: E:\lcc\projects\drupal_cron\lcc\'''udrive\www'''

# In folder www create a blank file named '''run_cron.php'''

Note: You can create a similar path to php and use a dummy file.   

'''''[[#top | Top]]'''''

=== Configuration ===

# Click Compiler tab and set the following:

## '''Check''' Optimise

'''''[[#top | Top]]'''''

=== Compile ===

# Pick-up the finished program '''drupal_cron.exe''' in '''E:\lcc\projects\drupal_cron\lcc'''

'''''[[#top | Top]]'''''

=== Uniform Server ===

*'''drupal_cron.exe'''

For example create '''drupal_cron.bat''' and add this line:

start drupal_cron.exe 1 udrive\www\run_cron.php udrive\usr\local\php\php.exe

The above would have no effect since the parameters passed are the defaults.

If you want to change the delay to 1 hour and installed Drupal to sub-folder www\drupal the batch file now looks like this:

start drupal_cron.exe 6 udrive\www\drupal\run_cron.php  

*'''stop_drupal_cron.bat'''

If you want to manually stop drupal_cron.exe without relaying on turning your PC off create a batch file named '''stop_drupal_cron.bat''' and add the following line:

udrive\home\admin\program\pskill.exe drupal_cron.exe c

=== Drupal root folder ===

Drupal's root folder (where file cron.php is located) must contain the following PHP script file.

Create a new file '''run_cron.php''' and add the following line:

'''''[[#top | Top]]'''''