Php script running few times a day with no CRON?

Hey! i'm looking for some way that can help me in task like this: write a function that every 2 days clear content of XML file. Do this with no CRON or similar tools, just PHP. So far i've never done time-related-run script so is there a way to make it w开发者_JAVA技巧ith only PHP? I assume that everything what functions does is without users ingerention, so i try function sleep(), but i think there must be better solution. Anyone know way to help me?

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On every request check modification or creation date of file. If current time minus file time is greater than 2 days - delete file or clear content.

Request in this case is poor resolution clock. Generally checking file time (stat) is quite fast operation.

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You might want to look into running your script as a daemon. PEAR's System_Daemon class manages a lot of this functionality. You can take a look at http://kevin.vanzonneveld.net/techblog/article/create_daemons_in_php/ for a good tutorial on how to set up a daemon.

Cron is obviously better for a timed task, but if cron really isn't available, this might be an option.

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There are services that call your scripts at given times.

ONLINE CRON SERVICES

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Without Cron or leaving your browser open, i'm not sure this is possible?

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Letting the script sleep() for 2 days is no good idea. Use a webcron.

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When the reason for no cronjobs is, that you cannot define cronjobs on your server, maybe you can call a script on another (local) machine that makes a HTTP request every other day which fires your PHP script?

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If your script is fast to execute you can use an "user based cron".

-You save somwhere the last execution time -Each visitor trigger a check on the last execution time -if the execution time exceed the defined duration the script is executed

It can be a good solution if your script don't need an exact execution timing and is very quick to execute (the user which trigger the execution should not be impacted)

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This will run your script for you every 2 days (or specify number of days) http://www.phpjobscheduler.co.uk/

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You can schedule the jobs using a MySQL database or a file as described here.

WordPress is also using the same method when cron jobs doesn't available or not been configured.