How Can I Execute Long-Running PHP Tasks in the Background Without Blocking the User Interface?

Executing Background Processes in PHP

Performing long-running tasks, such as directory copy operations, can be problematic if they block the user interface. This article explores a solution to execute such tasks in the background, providing users with a seamless experience.

As suggested in the answer provided, Linux environments offer a reliable approach to this. The exec() function allows you to execute a command in the background using a syntax similar to the following:

exec(sprintf("%s > %s 2>&1 & echo $! >> %s", $cmd, $outputfile, $pidfile));

Here, the $cmd represents the command to be executed. The output of the command is redirected to $outputfile, while the process ID is written to $pidfile. This allows you to monitor the process's progress and state using functions like isRunning():

function isRunning($pid){
    try{
        $result = shell_exec(sprintf("ps %d", $pid));
        if( count(preg_split("/\n/", $result)) > 2){
            return true;
        }
    }catch(Exception $e){}

    return false;
}

By embracing this approach, you can seamlessly execute background processes in PHP, minimizing user disruption.

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