PHP - How to keep a Command Shell open for executing multiple commands?

Question

Hi I am trying to execute multiple commands using PHP on a windows machine. I tried this code:

<?php
$output= shell_exec("powershell.exe");
$output2= shell_exec("write-host gokul");
shell_exec("exit");
echo( '<pre>' );
echo( $output );
echo( $output2 );
echo( '</pre>' );
?>

PHP executes each command with a new shell and closes it on completion!

I understand that each 'shell_exec' creates a new shell and control waits till command execution completes. How can I create a shell that stays open in the background till I close it ?

Am not sure if 'proc_open' or 'popen' can help ?

UPDATE when I try PROC_OPEN()

$descriptorspec = array(
   0 => array("pipe", "r"),  // stdin is a pipe that the child will read from
   1 => array("pipe", "w"),  // stdout is a pipe that the child will write to
   2 => array("file", "error.txt", "a") // stderr is a file to write to
);    
$process = proc_open('cmd.exe', $descriptorspec, $pipes);

if (is_resource($process)) {
    fwrite($pipes[0], 'dir');
    fwrite($pipes[0], 'powershell.exe');
    fwrite($pipes[0], 'write-host gokul');
    fclose($pipes[0]);

    echo stream_get_contents($pipes[1]);
    fclose($pipes[1]);

    proc_close($process);
}

It prints only the prompt. Can I really use proc_open to execute multiple commands ? If so, how?

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601] Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C:\wamp\bin\apache\Apache2.2.17>More?

Yes, you can use proc_open. check it's manual page: php.net/manual/en/function.proc-open.php — hek2mgl
– hek2mgl, Commented Oct 17, 2014 at 10:01
@hek2mgl Hi, I tried proc_open. Kindly view the question edit and help. — GP cyborg
– GP cyborg, Commented Oct 20, 2014 at 11:01
Have you tried executing commands using "&&" see : command1 && command2. I don't have any Win-machine right now but this usually works for *Nix machines — Mr.Quack
– Mr.Quack, Commented Oct 20, 2014 at 11:08
@hek2mgl Hey awesome! It works for all commands in 'cmd' except coudln't invoke 'powershell.exe'. I even tried passing 'powershell.exe' to proc_open instead of 'cmd.exe'. Still, your idea solves the basic problem. Add an answer and I shall mark it correct. — GP cyborg
– GP cyborg, Commented Oct 20, 2014 at 12:22

hek2mgl · Accepted Answer · 2014-10-20 12:26:38Z

3

Using proc_open is the correct attempt but you need to finish every command with a new line character. Like if you would type the command manually in a shell session.

It should look like this:

fwrite($pipes[0], 'dir' . PHP_EOL);
fwrite($pipes[0], 'powershell.exe' . PHP_EOL);
fwrite($pipes[0], 'write-host gokul' . PHP_EOL);

answered Oct 20, 2014 at 12:26

hek2mgl

159k31 gold badges263 silver badges279 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

PHP - How to keep a Command Shell open for executing multiple commands?

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related