How to Send HTTP Responses in PHP and Continue Execution for Long-Running Processes?

Sending HTTP Responses in PHP and Continuing Execution

When faced with time-consuming operations that exceed web application timeouts, developers often seek solutions to continue PHP execution beyond the HTTP response delivery. In this particular case, the challenge is to enable PHP to transmit a complete HTTP response promptly while simultaneously initiating and completing database and email processing within a prescribed time frame of one minute.

The most straightforward method is utilizing ob_end_flush() and flush() functions strategically. By terminating the output buffering process and releasing the HTTP headers alongside the user-visible text, the script effectively signals the completion of the response to the client.

Here's an example code snippet that demonstrates this approach:

ob_end_clean();
header("Connection: close");
ignore_user_abort(); // Disable abort
ob_start();
echo ('Success message for the user');
$size = ob_get_length();
header("Content-Length: $size");
ob_end_flush(); // Flush the initial content
flush();            // Ensure proper flushing
session_write_close(); 
// Delegate time-consuming tasks here
sleep(30);
echo('Tasks completed after 30 seconds');

With this approach, the script notifies the client of a successful operation and initiates subsequent time-consuming tasks without causing the application to time out.

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