How can I complete this process using the command line?
I've got a script that I've been asked to alter by initiating a command line dynamic so as to avoid a situation where things are otherwise timing out.
What's happening is that the user will click a button that's grabbing a series of files and converting them to pdf documents. At the end of the script, it then takes the directory that has all of these new files and zips it up and makes it available to the user as a downloadable entity. It works great right up until the point where you're having to process 600+ docs, now you're looking at 20 minutes plus and it's a mess.
At the risk of providing too much info, here's the "machine" as it exists right now.
User clicks the button and you get " function init_genPSM($empID_sel=NUL
That's the method that initiates the merry go round. Here it is in its entirety:
On line #47, you have this: $pdfPath = $this->exe_primeGenPSM($it
exe_primeGenPSM is what's hogging all of the systemic capital. It's here where things start to drag.
Here's that method:
I know, right?
If you look at the end of the aforementioned method, you'll see this:
$fPath = SECUREROOT . 'internal/production/' . $pDate . '/primed/' . $orderID . '/' . $increment . 'productionOutput.pdf';
$pdfPath = rtrim($fPath, $increment . 'productionOutput.pdf');
//\\192.168.1.100\d$\secur
//$linkPath = '/SecureFileZipper.php?zip
$linkPath=$fPath;
if (!is_dir($pdfPath))
mkdir($pdfPath, 0755, true);
$pdf->Output($fPath, 'F');
return $linkPath;
This is what's happening after every pdf has been generated and what's happening is that after 20 minutes or more, you'll finally get the prompt that says your file is ready to download, but when the zip file shows up in your download directory, it's empty. Hence, my being here among the ninjas.
My supervisor who is very sharp, suggested I assert a command line dynamic that triggers the necessary PDF production and engages in something called, "polling," which I'm not familiar with. Basically, it does exactly what the browser / system would normally do, but it's happening at the server level, so you're not having to contend with timeouts or extravagant consumption of memory.
How?
Or, if there's another solution, talk to me!
What do you think?
What's happening is that the user will click a button that's grabbing a series of files and converting them to pdf documents. At the end of the script, it then takes the directory that has all of these new files and zips it up and makes it available to the user as a downloadable entity. It works great right up until the point where you're having to process 600+ docs, now you're looking at 20 minutes plus and it's a mess.
At the risk of providing too much info, here's the "machine" as it exists right now.
User clicks the button and you get " function init_genPSM($empID_sel=NUL
That's the method that initiates the merry go round. Here it is in its entirety:
function init_genPSM($empID_sel=NULL,$hID_sel=NULL,$item_sel=NULL,$cpID_sel=NULL, $orderID=NULL, $quantity=500) {
global $S;
global $A;
$R = new xajaxResponse();
$R->appendResponse(Application::InitializeClass());
if (strpos($item_sel, 'prime') !== false) {
//ini_set('max_execution_time', $quantity > 120 ? $quantity : 120);
//I set the max_execution_time to 500 to accommodate larger files that were showing up as empty zip files because of the system timing out (Bruce Gust 4/20/2018)
ini_set('max_execution_time', 120);
$out = array();
$T = new Blitz(WEBROOT.'templates/pap/primePrintOrder.tpl');
$stmt = $this->cn->prepare('SELECT rhID FROM Orders_hraResponseHeaders WHERE orderID = ?');
$stmt->execute(array($orderID));
$table = $stmt->fetchall(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
$userTable = array();
foreach($table as $value) {
$rhID = $value['rhID'];
$stmt = $this->cn->prepare('SELECT cp.cpID, RIGHT(u.usrSSN, 4) as usrSSN_L4, u.*, r.rhID, e.empName, h.hPID, h.hID, h.hName, c.cmpLogoLrg, c.cmpLogoMed, c.cmpSignatureImg, c.cmpSignatoryName, c.cmpSignatoryTitle, c.cmpPHRLetter, c.cmpPostSurveyTxt, c.cmpSurveyLegalTxt, c.cmpBioSurveyLegalTxt, c.cmpSurveyLetter_sp, c.cmpSignatoryTitle_sp, c.cmpSurveyLetter
FROM hraResponseHeaders r INNER JOIN
hraUsers u ON r.usrID = u.usrID INNER JOIN
Employers e ON u.empID = e.empID INNER JOIN
ChannelPartners cp ON e.cpID = cp.cpID INNER JOIN
hraHeaders h ON r.hID = h.hID INNER JOIN
Components c ON cp.cmpID=c.cmpID
WHERE (r.rhID= ?)');
$stmt->execute(array($rhID));
$userTable[]= $stmt->fetchall(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
}
//Date for PDF Folder
$pDate = date('m_d_Y');
// Loop through Prime Users and Generate a report.
//Determine the number of orders
$orderCount = sizeof($userTable);
//get the character count for the number of orders so we can use it in padding
$orderCountCharCount = strlen($orderCount);
for ($i=0; $i < $orderCount; $i++) {
$incrFileName = $orderID.'_'.str_pad($i, $orderCountCharCount, '0', STR_PAD_LEFT).'_';
$pdfPath = $this->exe_primeGenPSM($item_sel, $userTable[$i][0], $incrFileName, $orderID, $pDate);
//$R->append('d4', 'innerHTML', '<iframe style="display: none" name="iframe" name="iframe" src="'.$fpath[$i].'"></iframe>');
}
$out = array('zipLink' => $pdfPath);
$R->appendResponse($A->populateFltDiv('Download Prime Order '.$orderID,$T->parse($out),$T->fetch('/btns'),450));
} else {
$T = new Blitz(WEBROOT.'templates/pap/init_genPSM.tpl');
$out = array('hID_sel'=>$hID_sel,'empList'=>'','engSurvey'=>'','spSurvey'=>'','bioLegal'=>'','bioLegalNCR'=>'');
$splitList = true;
$stmt = $this->cn->query('SELECT cpID,cpName,cptID FROM ChannelPartners ORDER BY cptID,cpName ASC');
while(($row = $stmt->fetch()) != null) {
if ($row['cptID'] == 2 && $splitList){
$out['cpList'].= '<option value="" disabled="disabled">------------------</option>';
$splitList = false;
}
$out['cpList'].= '<option value="'.$row['cpID'].'" '.(($cpID_sel == $row['cpID'])?'SELECTED':'').'>'.$row['cpName'].' ('.$row['cpID'].')</option>';
}
$stmt = $this->cn->query('SELECT empID,empName FROM Employers ORDER BY empName ASC');
while (($row = $stmt->fetch()) != null)
$out['empList'].= '<option value="'.$row['empID'].'" '.(($empID_sel == $row['empID'])?'SELECTED':'').'>'.$row['empName'].' ('.$row['empID'].')</option>';
$out['itemSel'] = '';
$productArr = array('English Survey / Sales - English Survey','Spanish Survey','Biometric Survey','Biometric Survey 2-Part','Biometric Survey 3-Part','|','Sales - Personal Health Report','Sales - 10 Steps');
$valueArr = array('engSurvey','spSurvey','bioSurvey','bioSurvey2','bioSurvey3','|','sales-phr','sales-10steps');
for ($i=0; $i < count($productArr); $i++){
if ($productArr[$i] == '|')
$out['itemSel'].= '<option value="disabled" disabled="disabled">------------------</option>';
else if ($item_sel == $valueArr[$i])
$out['itemSel'].= '<option value="'.$valueArr[$i].'" SELECTED>'.$productArr[$i].'</option>';
else
$out['itemSel'].= '<option value="'.$valueArr[$i].'">'.$productArr[$i].'</option>';
}
// set location and name for image upload
$out['folder'] = 'temp';
$out['fileID'] = '9999';
$S->Set(array('pap_pageLastVisited'=>'init_genPSM'));
$R->assign('d1', 'innerHTML', $T->parse($out));
if (!empty($empID_sel) && !empty($hID_sel))
$R->script("$('#empHeaderDiv').css('display','inline');$('#cpDiv').css('display','none');");
else if (!empty($cpID_sel))
$R->script("$('#empHeaderDiv').css('display','none');$('#cpDiv').css('display','inline');");
if (!empty($empID_sel))
$R->script('xajax_Production.genPSM_listHeaderGroups(xajax.getFormValues(\'genPSMForm\'));');
// Generate PDF(s)
if ((!empty($empID_sel) && !empty($hID_sel) && !empty($item_sel)) || !empty($cpID_sel) && !empty($item_sel))
$R->script('xajax_Production.exe_genPSM(xajax.getFormValues(\'genPSMForm\'),\'true\');');
$R->script('$.fancybox.close()');
}
return $R;
}On line #47, you have this: $pdfPath = $this->exe_primeGenPSM($it
exe_primeGenPSM is what's hogging all of the systemic capital. It's here where things start to drag.
Here's that method:
function exe_primeGenPSM($ordItem, $usrTable, $increment, $orderID, $pDate){
require_once(WEBROOT.'lib/functions.php');
require_once(WEBROOT.'lib/fpdf/multicelltag/class.multicelltag.php');
require_once(WEBROOT.'lib/fpdf/fpdi/fpdi.php');
if (!empty($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg']))
$usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'] = WEBROOT . $usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'];
if (!empty($usrTable['cmpLogoMed']))
$usrTable['cmpLogoMed'] = WEBROOT . $usrTable['cmpLogoMed'];
if (!empty($usrTable['cmpSignatureImg']))
$usrTable['cmpSignatureImg'] = WEBROOT . $usrTable['cmpSignatureImg'];
// Bio decision here
if (stristr($ordItem, 'bio')) {
$pdf =& new FPDI('P', 'mm', 'Legal');
$templateFile = WEBROOT . 'pdf/bioLegal.pdf';
} else {
$pdf =& new FPDI('P', 'mm', 'Letter');
if (stristr($ordItem, 'survey'))
if (stristr($ordItem, 'eng'))
$templateFile = WEBROOT . 'pdf/engSurvey.pdf';
else
$templateFile = WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf';
else if ($ordItem == 'sales-phs')
$templateFile = WEBROOT . 'pdf/engSurvey.pdf';
}
$pdf->SetMargins(0, 0);
$pdf->SetAutoPageBreak(false);
$pdf->AddFont('Barcode1', '', 'barcode1.php');
$iterations = 1; // for bioLegal
$pagecount = $pdf->setSourceFile($templateFile);
for ($i = 1; $i <= $pagecount; $i++) {
$tplidx = $pdf->ImportPage($i);
$s = $pdf->getTemplatesize($tplidx);
$pdf->AddPage('P', array($s['w'], $s['h']));
$pdf->useTemplate($tplidx);
if (stristr($ordItem, 'survey') && !stristr($ordItem, 'bio')) {
if ($i == 1) {
if (!empty($usrTable['hName'])) {
$pdf->SetFont('Arial','',22);
$pdf->SetXY(14,66);
$pdf->MultiCell(189, 9, $usrTable['empName'] . ' / ' . $usrTable['hName'], 0, 'C', 0);
}
if (!empty($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg']) && is_file($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'])) {
$img = getimagesize($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg']);
if ($img[0] * (18 / $img[1]) > 110) // IMAGE IS TOO WIDE SHRINK BY WIDTH, and vertically center
$pdf->Image($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'], 107 - 110 / 2, 217 + 27 / 2 - ($img[1] * 110 / $img[0]) / 2, 110, 0);
else // IMAGE IS TOO TALL, SHRINK BY HEIGHT
$pdf->Image($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'], 107 - ($img[0] * 18 / $img[1]) / 2, 217 + 27 / 2 - 18 / 2, 0, 18);
}
$pdf->SetFont('Arial', '', 18);
$pdf->SetXY(10, 25);
$pdf->Cell(180, 20, $usrTable['usrFN'] . ' ' . $usrTable['usrLN'], 0, 0, 'R');
} else if ($i == 2) {
$sigHeight = 8;
$textLeading = 4.5;
$pdf->SetFont('Times', '', 10);
$pdf->SetXY(36, 65);
// For some reason the PHR is in here? The PHR reads nothing like the Survey Letter does. It reads like you have taken the survey already.
// Why is it present here? I have taken it out for now. ~ allen
//$pdf->SetXY(29,65);
//$usrTable['cmpPHRLetter'] = str_replace('$Recipient', $usrTable['usrFN'], $usrTable['cmpPHRLetter']);
//$pdf->MultiCell(138, $textLeading, $usrTable['cmpPHRLetter'], 0, 'L', false);
$cmpLogoLrg = $usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'];
// Set Logo Pos
if (!empty($cmpLogoLrg) && is_file($cmpLogoLrg)) {
$img = getimagesize($cmpLogoLrg);
if ($img[0]*(10/$img[1]) > 50) // IMAGE IS TOO WIDE SHRINK BY WIDTH
$pdf->Image($cmpLogoLrg,35,50.5,50,0);
else // IMAGE IS TOO TALL, SHRINK BY HEIGHT
$pdf->Image($cmpLogoLrg,35,50.5,0,10);
}
if ((stristr($ordItem, 'eng')) || empty($usrTable['cmpSurveyLetter_sp']))
$cmpLetter = $usrTable['cmpSurveyLetter'];
else
$cmpLetter = $usrTable['cmpSurveyLetter_sp'];
// body text pos
$pdf->SetXY(36,65);
$pdf->MultiCell(138,4.5,((stristr($ordItem, "eng") || empty($usrTable['cmpSurveyLetter_sp'])) ? $usrTable['cmpSurveyLetter'] : $usrTable['cmpSurveyLetter_sp']),0,'L',false);
$sigY = $pdf->GetY() + ($textLeading/2);
//SIGNATURE if else block
$cmpSignatureImg = $usrTable['cmpSignatureImg'];
if (!empty($cmpSignatureImg) && is_file($cmpSignatureImg)){
list($originalW, $originalH) = getimagesize($cmpSignatureImg);
$newW = $newH = 0;
$targetW = 80;
$targetH = ($originalW/$originalH > 2) ? 10 /*aspect ratio is wide and rectangular*/ : 15 /*aspect ratio is near square*/;
// changing target height to 8. 10 - 15 seemed way too large and unrealistic. sticking with default height
$targetH = 8;
while ($originalW > $targetW || $originalH > $targetH){
if ($originalW > $targetW){
$diff = $originalW-$targetW;
$percnt_reduced = (($diff/$originalW)*100);
$newH = $originalH-(($percnt_reduced*$originalH)/100);
$newW = $originalW-$diff;
}
if ($originalH > $targetH){
$diff = $originalH-$targetH;
$percnt_reduced = (($diff/$originalH)*100);
$newW = $originalW-(($percnt_reduced*$originalW)/100);
$newH = $originalH-$diff;
}
$originalW = $newW;
$originalH = $sigHeight = $newH;
}
$pdf->Image($cmpSignatureImg,36,$sigY,$newW,$newH);
} else {
$pdf->AddFont('RageItalic', '', 'RageItalic.php');
$pdf->SetFont('RageItalic', '', 26);
$pdf->Text(29, $sigY + $textLeading * 1.5, $usrTable['cmpSignatoryName']);
}
$pdf->SetFont('Times', '', 10);
$pdf->SetXY(36, $sigY + $sigHeight + 2);
$pdf->MultiCell(100, $textLeading, $usrTable['cmpSignatoryName'] . "\n" . ((stristr($ordItem, "eng") || empty($usrTable['cmpSignatoryTitle_sp'])) ? $usrTable['cmpSignatoryTitle'] : $usrTable['cmpSignatoryTitle_sp']), 0, 'L', false);
} else if ($i == 3) {
//Distance of the blocks for placement of letters
$block = 6;
//firstname
$pdf->SetFont('Arial', '', 12);
$fnArray = array();
$fnArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrFN']));
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(41, 43);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 19; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $fnArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 43);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(47, 46);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 19; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $fnArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 46);
}
}
//lastname
$lnArray = array();
$lnArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrLN']));
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(41, 51);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 19; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $lnArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 51);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(48, 54);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 19; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $lnArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 54);
}
}
//middleInitial
if (!empty($usrTable['usrMI'])) {
//IF not Spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(193, 44);
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, strtoupper($usrTable['usrMI']), 0, 0);
}
}
//Employee ID
if (!empty($usrTable['usrEEID'])){
$EEIDArray = array();
$EEIDArray = str_split($usrTable['usrEEID']);
// IF Spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(132, 35);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 12; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $EEIDArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 35);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(124, 37);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 12; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $EEIDArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 37);
}
}
}
//Home Address
if (!empty($usrTable['usrAddr'])){
$addrArray = array();
$addrArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrAddr']));
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(42, 59);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 27; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $addrArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 59);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(48, 62);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 25; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $addrArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 62);
}
}
}
//Apt/Suite
if (!empty($usrTable['usrAddr2'])){
$addrArray = array();
$addrArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrAddr2']));
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(42, 67);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 19; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $addrArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 67);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(48, 70);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 19; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $addrArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 70);
}
}
}
//City
if (!empty($usrTable['usrCity'])){
$cityArray = array();
$cityArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrCity']));
//If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(41, 74);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 19; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $cityArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 74);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(48, 77);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 19; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $cityArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 77);
}
}
}
//State
if (!empty($usrTable['usrState'])){
$stateArray = array();
$stateArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrState']));
//If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(41, 82);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 2; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $stateArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 82);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(48, 85);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 2; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $stateArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 85);
}
}
}
//Zip
if (!empty($usrTable['usrZip'])){
$zipArray = array();
$zipArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrZip']));
//If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(83, 82);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 5; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $zipArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 82);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(90, 85);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 5; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $zipArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 85);
}
}
}
//Email Address
if (!empty($usrTable['usrEmail'])) {
$emailArray = array();
$emailArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrEmail']));
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(18, 97);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j !=31; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $emailArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 97);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(18, 100);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 31; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $emailArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 100);
}
}
}
//DoB
if (!empty($usrTable['usrDOB'])) {
$dobArray = array();
$monthArray = array();
$dayArray = array();
$yearArray = array();
$usrTable['usrDOB'] = date('m-d-Y', strtotime($usrTable['usrDOB']));
$dobArray = explode('-', $usrTable['usrDOB']);
$monthArray = str_split($dobArray[0]);
$dayArray = str_split($dobArray[1]);
$yearArray = str_split($dobArray[2]);
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(65, 106);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($monthArray as $month) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $month, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 106);
}
$pdf->SetXY(83, 106);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($dayArray as $day) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $day, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 106);
}
$pdf->SetXY(101, 106);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($yearArray as $year) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $year, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 106);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(72, 109);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($monthArray as $month) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $month, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 109);
}
$pdf->SetXY(90, 109);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($dayArray as $day) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $day, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 109);
}
$pdf->SetXY(108, 109);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($yearArray as $year) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $year, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 109);
}
}
}
//SSN
if (!empty($usrTable['usrSSN_L4'])) {
$ssnArray = array();
if (strpos($usrTable['usrSSN_L4'], '-')) {
$ssnArray = explode('-', $usrTable['usrSSN_L4']);
$ssnArray = $ssnArray[2];
$ssnArray = str_split(strval($ssnArray));
} else {
$ssnArray = str_split(strval($usrTable['usrSSN_L4']));
}
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
// If the ssn was all digits with no dash and exceeded size of last 4 ex(123465789)
if (sizeof($ssnArray) > 4) {
$pdf->SetXY(102, 113);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 5; $j < sizeof($ssnArray); $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $ssnArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 113);
}
} else {
//else the array going to treat it as last 4 of ssn
$pdf->SetXY(102, 113);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($ssnArray as $ssn) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $ssn, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 113);
}
}
} else {
// else it is spanish we are working with
if (sizeof($ssnArray) > 4) {
$pdf->SetXY(108, 116);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 5; $j < sizeof($ssnArray); $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $ssnArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 116);
}
} else {
//else the array is just the size of 4/5
$pdf->SetXY(108, 116);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($ssnArray as $ssn) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $ssn, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 116);
}
}
}
}
//Phone Number
if (!empty($usrTable['usrBestPhone'])) {
$phoneArray = array();
// Phone is not stored in any consistant fashion other than always 10 digits. So I am
// going to take it back to only digits then do my strsplit stuff.
$usrTable['usrBestPhone'] = str_replace('(', '', $usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$usrTable['usrBestPhone'] = str_replace(')', '', $usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$usrTable['usrBestPhone'] = str_replace(' ', '', $usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$usrTable['usrBestPhone'] = str_replace('-', '', $usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$phoneArray = str_split($usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
// If Not Spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(102, 121);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j < sizeof($phoneArray); $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $phoneArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block + $dash = ($j==2 || $j==5) ? $block : 0;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 121);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(108, 124);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j < sizeof($phoneArray); $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $phoneArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block + $dash = ($j==2 || $j==5) ? $block : 0;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 124);
}
}
}
//Health Insurance Provider
if (!empty($usrTable['usrInsurer'])) {
$insuranceArray = array();
$insuranceArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrInsurer']));
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(18, 136);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 31; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $insuranceArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 136);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(18, 140);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 31; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $insuranceArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 140);
}
}
}
//User Has Doctor
if (!empty($usrTable['usrHasDoc'])) {
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->Image(WEBROOT.'images/layout/img_fullDot.png', 168, 160, 5, 5, '');
} else {
$pdf->Image(WEBROOT.'images/layout/img_fullDot.png', 165, 165, 5, 5, '');
}
}
//User Doc Name
if (!empty($usrTable['usrDocName'])){
$docArray = array();
$docArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrDocName']));
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(16, 176);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 21; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $docArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 176);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(16, 182);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 21; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $docArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 182);
}
}
}
//User Doc City
if (!empty($usrTable['usrDocLoc'])){
$docLocArray = array();
$docLocArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrDocLoc']));
// If it is not a spanish
if ($templateFile != WEBROOT . 'pdf/spSurvey.pdf') {
$pdf->SetXY(16, 192);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 20; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $docLocArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 192);
}
} else {
$pdf->SetXY(16, 197);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for($j=0; $j != 20; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $docLocArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 197);
}
}
}
} else if ($i == 15) {
//MULTI CELL MORE THAN ONE LINE -- CMP POSTSURVEY TEXT
$staticLegalTxt = "This Personal Health Survey is intended to help you understand health risks you may face and offer suggestions on how best to minimize or eliminate these risks. The information you provide WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL and WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH YOUR INSURANCE CARRIER. Any information shared with your employer WILL NOT IDENTIFY ANY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL and will only be presented to represent the workforce as a whole.
\r\nThis assessment is not intended to establish a patient-health professional relationship nor replace any advice provided by your physician. Information you provide may be made available to health resource experts whose product or services may be appropriate to help you reduce health risks you may face. Your participation in these initiatives is strictly voluntary.
\r\nYou hereby consent to the performance of your health screening, which may include the drawing of blood samples. You agree to release all organizations associated with this screening, their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, successors, and assigns, from any and all liabilities arising from or in any way connected with this health survey or blood drawing. You understand that the data derived from these tests is considered preliminary and does not constitute a diagnosis. You also understand that the data collected from these tests may be used to generate statistical information. WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO MAINTAIN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION. The responsibility for initiating a follow-up examination to confirm the results of these screenings and obtain professional medical assistance is yours alone and not that of any organization associated with this screening.";
$pdf->SetFont('Arial', '', 10);
$pdf->SetXY(10, 10);
$pdf->MultiCell(195, 4, (!empty($usrTable['cmpSurveyLegalTxt']) ? $usrTable['cmpSurveyLegalTxt'] : $staticLegalTxt) . (!empty($usrTable['cmpPostSurveyTxt']) ? "\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n" . $usrTable['cmpPostSurveyTxt'] : ""), 0, 'L', false);
} else if ($i == $pagecount) {
$pdf->SetFont('Barcode1', '', 20);
$pdf->SetY(247);
$pdf->SetX(23);
// negative usrID for prime
$negUsrID = $usrTable['usrID'] * -1;
$pdf->Cell(65, 0, "*" . $negUsrID . "*", 0, 0, 'L', 0, 0, 0);
$pdf->SetX(128);
$pdf->Cell(65, 0, "*" . $usrTable['hID'] . "*", 0, 0, 'R', 0, 0, 0);
}
} else if (stristr($ordItem, 'bio')) {
$pdf->SetTextColor(0, 0, 0);
$pdf->SetFont('Arial', '', 8);
if (($ordItem == 'bioSurvey2' || $ordItem == 'primeBio2' || $ordItem == 'bioSurvey3' || $ordItem == 'primeBio3') && $i == 1) {
$pdf->SetXY(10, 19);
$pdf->Cell(105, 0, 'Please send white copy to Applied Health Analytics, the other may be kept for your records.', 0, 0, 'L', 0, 0, 0);
}
if ($i == 1) {
if (!empty($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg']) && is_file($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'])) {
$img = getimagesize($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg']);
if ($img[0] * (10 / $img[1]) > 70) { // IMAGE IS TOO WIDE SHRINK BY WIDTH, and vertically center
$lFix = (70 - 10 * $img[0] / $img[1] > 70) ? floor(70 - 10 * $img[0] / $img[1]) : 0;
$vCenterFix = (70 * $img[1] / $img[0] < 10) ? floor(10 - 70 * $img[1] / $img[0]) : 0;
$pdf->Image($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'], 132 + $lFix, 10 + $vCenterFix, 70, 0);
} else { // IMAGE IS TOO TALL, SHRINK BY HEIGHT
$lFix = floor(70 - 10 * $img[0] / $img[1]);
$pdf->Image($usrTable['cmpLogoLrg'], 132 + $lFix, 10, 0, 10);
}
}
$pdf->SetFont('Arial', '', 12);
// BEGIN PRIME USER INFO
$block = 6;
//firstname
$fnArray = array();
$fnArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrFN']));
$pdf->SetXY(39, 39);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 20; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $fnArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 39);
}
//middleInitial
if (!empty($usrTable['usrMI'])) {
$pdf->SetXY(196, 39);
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, strtoupper($usrTable['usrMI']), 0, 0);
}
//lastname
$lnArray = array();
$lnArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrLN']));
$pdf->SetXY(39, 46);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j = 0; $j != 20; $j++) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $lnArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 46);
}
//home address
$addrArray = array();
$addrArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrAddr']));
$pdf->SetXY(39, 54);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j != 27; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $addrArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 54);
}
//address 2
$addrArray = array();
$addrArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrAddr2']));
$pdf->SetXY(39, 62);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j != 20; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $addrArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 62);
}
//city
$cityArray = array();
$cityArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrCity']));
$pdf->SetXY(39, 70);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j != 20; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $cityArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 70);
}
//state
$stateArray = array();
$stateArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrState']));
$pdf->SetXY(39, 77);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j != 2; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $stateArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 77);
}
//ZipCode
$zipArray = array();
$zipArray = str_split($usrTable['usrZip']);
$pdf->SetXY(81, 77);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j != 5; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $zipArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 77);
}
//EEID
$EEIDArray = array();
$EEIDArray = str_split($usrTable['usrEEID']);
$pdf->SetXY(135, 77);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j != 12; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $EEIDArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 77);
}
//SSN
if (!empty($usrTable['usrSSN_L4'])) {
$ssnArray = array();
if (strpos($usrTable['usrSSN_L4'], '-')) {
$usrTable['usrSSN_L4'] = str_replace('-', '', $usrTable['usrSSN_L4']);
$ssnArray = str_split(strval($usrTable['usrSSN_L4']));
} else
$ssnArray = str_split(strval($usrTable['usrSSN_L4']));
if (sizeof($ssnArray) > 5) {
$pdf->SetXY(38, 86);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($ssnArray as $k => $ssn) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $ssn, 0, 0);
if ($k == 2 || $k == 4)
$x = $x + 6;
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 86);
}
} else {
if (sizeof($ssnArray) == 4) {
$pdf->SetXY(80, 86);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($ssnArray as $k => $ssn) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $ssn, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 86);
}
} else if (sizeof($ssnArray) == 5) {
$pdf->SetXY(68, 86);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
$counter = 1;
foreach ($ssnArray as $k => $ssn) {
if ($counter == 1) {
$x = $x + $block;
}
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $ssn, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 86);
$counter ++;
}
}
}
}
//DoB
if (!empty($usrTable['usrDOB'])) {
$dobArray = array();
$monthArray = array();
$dayArray = array();
$yearArray = array();
$date = date('m-d-Y', strtotime($usrTable['usrDOB']));
$dobArray = explode('-', $date);
$monthArray = str_split($dobArray[0]);
$dayArray = str_split($dobArray[1]);
$yearArray = str_split($dobArray[2]);
$pdf->SetXY(62, 94);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($monthArray as $month) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $month, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 94);
}
$pdf->SetXY(81, 94);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($dayArray as $day) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $day, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 94);
}
$pdf->SetXY(98, 94);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
foreach ($yearArray as $year) {
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $year, 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 94);
}
}
//Gender
if (!empty($usrTable['usrGender'])) {
$usrTable['usrGender'] = strtolower($usrTable['usrGender']);
if ($usrTable['usrGender'] == 'female') {
$pdf->Image(WEBROOT.'images/layout/img_fullDot.png', 163, 91, 5, 5, '');
} else if ($usrTable['usrGender']) {
$pdf->Image(WEBROOT.'images/layout/img_fullDot.png', 186, 91, 5, 5, '');
}
}
// Phone
$phoneArray = array();
// Phone is not stored in any consistant fashion other than always 10 digits. So I am
// going to take it back to only digits then do my strsplit stuff.
$usrTable['usrBestPhone'] = str_replace('(', '', $usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$usrTable['usrBestPhone'] = str_replace(')', '', $usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$usrTable['usrBestPhone'] = str_replace(' ', '', $usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$usrTable['usrBestPhone'] = str_replace('-', '', $usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$phoneArray = str_split($usrTable['usrBestPhone']);
$pdf->SetXY(99, 101);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j < sizeof($phoneArray) && $j != 20; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $phoneArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block + $dash = ($j==2 || $j==5) ? $block : 0;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 101);
}
// Email
$emailArray = array();
// Phone is not stored in any consistant fashion other than always 10 digits. So I am
// going to take it back to only digits then do my strsplit stuff.
$emailArary = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrEmail']));
$pdf->SetXY(39, 108);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j < sizeof($emailArary) && $j != 27; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $emailArary[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 108);
}
//Insurance
$insuranceArray = array();
$insuranceArray = str_split(strtoupper($usrTable['usrInsurer']));
$pdf->SetXY(15, 123);
$x = $pdf->GetX();
for ($j=0; $j < sizeof($insuranceArray) && $j != 31; $j++){
$pdf->MultiCell(3, 2, $insuranceArray[$j], 0, 0);
$x = $x + $block;
$pdf->SetXY($x, 123);
}
// END PRIME USER INFO
$pdf->SetXY(103, 22);
$pdf->MultiCell(100, 4, $usrTable['empName'] . ' / ' . $usrTable['hName'], 0, 'R', 0);
$pdf->SetFont('Barcode1', '', 20);
$pdf->SetY(343);
$pdf->SetX(15);
$negUsrID = $usrTable['usrID'] * -1;
$pdf->Cell(65, 0, "*" . $negUsrID . "*", 0, 0, 'L', 0, 0, 0);
$pdf->SetX(134);
$pdf->Cell(65, 0, "*" . $usrTable['hID'] . "*", 0, 0, 'R', 0, 0, 0);
}
if ($i == 2) {
$pdf->SetFont('Arial', '', 10);
$pdf->SetXY(10, 10);
//$pdf->MultiCell(195,4,$usrTable['cmpBioSurveyLegalTxt'].(!empty($usrTable['cmpPostSurveyTxt']) ? "\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n".$usrTable['cmpPostSurveyTxt']:""),0,'L',false);
$pdf->MultiCell(195, 4, $usrTable['cmpBioSurveyLegalTxt'], 0, 'L', false);
}
if (($ordItem == 'bioSurvey2' || $ordItem == 'primeBio2') && $i == 2 && $iterations < 2) {
$iterations++;
$i = 0;
}
if (($ordItem == 'bioSurvey3' || $ordItem == 'primeBio3') && $i == 2 && $iterations < 3) {
$iterations++;
$i = 0;
}
}
}
$fPath = SECUREROOT . 'internal/production/' . $pDate . '/primed/' . $orderID . '/' . $increment . 'productionOutput.pdf';
$pdfPath = rtrim($fPath, $increment . 'productionOutput.pdf');
//\\192.168.1.100\d$\secure\internal\production\04_01_2013
//$linkPath = '/SecureFileZipper.php?zipLoc=internal/production/' . $pDate . '/primed/' . $orderID;
$linkPath=$fPath;
if (!is_dir($pdfPath))
mkdir($pdfPath, 0755, true);
$pdf->Output($fPath, 'F');
return $linkPath;
}I know, right?
If you look at the end of the aforementioned method, you'll see this:
$fPath = SECUREROOT . 'internal/production/' . $pDate . '/primed/' . $orderID . '/' . $increment . 'productionOutput.pdf';
$pdfPath = rtrim($fPath, $increment . 'productionOutput.pdf');
//\\192.168.1.100\d$\secur
//$linkPath = '/SecureFileZipper.php?zip
$linkPath=$fPath;
if (!is_dir($pdfPath))
mkdir($pdfPath, 0755, true);
$pdf->Output($fPath, 'F');
return $linkPath;
This is what's happening after every pdf has been generated and what's happening is that after 20 minutes or more, you'll finally get the prompt that says your file is ready to download, but when the zip file shows up in your download directory, it's empty. Hence, my being here among the ninjas.
My supervisor who is very sharp, suggested I assert a command line dynamic that triggers the necessary PDF production and engages in something called, "polling," which I'm not familiar with. Basically, it does exactly what the browser / system would normally do, but it's happening at the server level, so you're not having to contend with timeouts or extravagant consumption of memory.
How?
Or, if there's another solution, talk to me!
What do you think?
ASKER
Gonzo, this looks great! Thanks so much!
Question: My supervisor was pretty specific in mentioning a Command Line approach. The logic being, by doing that, you're not using memory the say way you would if your webpage was just sitting there, "spinning."
I've done something similar to what you're suggesting and I might go that route depending on your recommendation. I created the table like you suggested and then I just did a loop. I incorporated some JQuery so that the loop would go through 10 records and then advance to another page that I called a "breather," where the process was intentionally interrupted to avoid a timeout and then with JQuery, it would circle back and start the process all over again, this time working on a different set of 10 records and it would continue until it was done.
That I can do.
It's the command line / server level commands that have me stumped.
How would I do that?
Question: My supervisor was pretty specific in mentioning a Command Line approach. The logic being, by doing that, you're not using memory the say way you would if your webpage was just sitting there, "spinning."
I've done something similar to what you're suggesting and I might go that route depending on your recommendation. I created the table like you suggested and then I just did a loop. I incorporated some JQuery so that the loop would go through 10 records and then advance to another page that I called a "breather," where the process was intentionally interrupted to avoid a timeout and then with JQuery, it would circle back and start the process all over again, this time working on a different set of 10 records and it would continue until it was done.
That I can do.
It's the command line / server level commands that have me stumped.
How would I do that?
Well, command line is just another way to START a PHP script. Suggesting a "command line approach" doesn't really provide a lot of insight on what he expects you to do. There are a few possible implications, but they'd just be guesses.
My best guess is that he wants you to kick off asynchronous child processes as workers by using popen() or proc_open() to start the process, like:
$php_executable = "/path/to/php";
$php_script = "/path/to/the/worker_scrip
$parameters = "abc";
popen($php_executable . " " . $php_script . " " . $parameters, "r");
When your main script executes those lines, it will launch a new instance of the PHP engine on the command line to run the worker_script.php file, which could then process some work for you in another thread (so the main script continues to execute - it doesn't wait for the child process / worker script to finish).
The catch to that is that you can't just kick off one worker for every PDF, because kicking off 600+ PHP processes is going to hit your system HARD. The PDF processing code (worker_script.php) might be lightweight but each process will have to load the PHP engine, which can take up several megabytes (depends on your configuration) of memory and a chunk of I/O and CPU, so multiply that times 600 and suddenly you're going to exhaust your system resources almost right away.
So if you do this kind of asynchronous / popen logic, then you need to limit the number of workers that run at one time, which can be complicated to do correctly (if each main script kicks off 10 workers but you have 20 people that are all starting jobs around the same timeframe, then you might end up with hundreds of processes).
You'll also have to ensure you don't run into race conditions (two workers trying to process the same job), which can also be complicated (the simplest thing for a 1-server setup is to add a column to the jobs table I mentioned to store the Process ID that "owns" the job, then use getmypid() to get the current process ID, and run an UPDATE query like this: UPDATE jobs SET pid=[results of getmypid()] WHERE pid=NULL LIMIT 1. Then turn around and query SELECT * FROM jobs where pid=[results of getmypid()] AND status='Waiting'. If anything is returned, then that particular PHP process has acquired a lock on a particular job (so no other PHP process has it), and can safely process it.
It's this kind of stuff that makes the overall process a little complicated, so I would make sure that this is a necessary solution before you go down the road too far. Ideally, if the # of PDFs isn't growing steadily, if you can figure out how to reduce the processing time of your script so that it only takes 100-200 milliseconds (or less) per PDF instead of 2 seconds, then you might not need a separate job scheduling process like this (which would be good, because it would save on valuable system resources).
My best guess is that he wants you to kick off asynchronous child processes as workers by using popen() or proc_open() to start the process, like:
$php_executable = "/path/to/php";
$php_script = "/path/to/the/worker_scrip
$parameters = "abc";
popen($php_executable . " " . $php_script . " " . $parameters, "r");
When your main script executes those lines, it will launch a new instance of the PHP engine on the command line to run the worker_script.php file, which could then process some work for you in another thread (so the main script continues to execute - it doesn't wait for the child process / worker script to finish).
The catch to that is that you can't just kick off one worker for every PDF, because kicking off 600+ PHP processes is going to hit your system HARD. The PDF processing code (worker_script.php) might be lightweight but each process will have to load the PHP engine, which can take up several megabytes (depends on your configuration) of memory and a chunk of I/O and CPU, so multiply that times 600 and suddenly you're going to exhaust your system resources almost right away.
So if you do this kind of asynchronous / popen logic, then you need to limit the number of workers that run at one time, which can be complicated to do correctly (if each main script kicks off 10 workers but you have 20 people that are all starting jobs around the same timeframe, then you might end up with hundreds of processes).
You'll also have to ensure you don't run into race conditions (two workers trying to process the same job), which can also be complicated (the simplest thing for a 1-server setup is to add a column to the jobs table I mentioned to store the Process ID that "owns" the job, then use getmypid() to get the current process ID, and run an UPDATE query like this: UPDATE jobs SET pid=[results of getmypid()] WHERE pid=NULL LIMIT 1. Then turn around and query SELECT * FROM jobs where pid=[results of getmypid()] AND status='Waiting'. If anything is returned, then that particular PHP process has acquired a lock on a particular job (so no other PHP process has it), and can safely process it.
It's this kind of stuff that makes the overall process a little complicated, so I would make sure that this is a necessary solution before you go down the road too far. Ideally, if the # of PDFs isn't growing steadily, if you can figure out how to reduce the processing time of your script so that it only takes 100-200 milliseconds (or less) per PDF instead of 2 seconds, then you might not need a separate job scheduling process like this (which would be good, because it would save on valuable system resources).
ASKER
gonzo, for the sake of ensuring that I'm learning something and not just "copying and pasting," I want to explain back to you what it is that you've suggested / recommended.
First off, "asynchronous" means the opposite of "synchronous," which means "in sequence." In other words, when you're operating in the context of an asynchronous dynamic, rather than being bound by a process that happens sequentially, you can now circumvent the normal flow of things and have something like a form being submitted with data returned to you without having to refresh the page. That would be an AJAX form (Asynchronous Javascript, XML).
A PHP Worker is an instance of the PHP infrastructure that is assigned to a request coming from the browser. It's like a ticket cashier at a stadium. They're capable and they're fast, but they can help only one person at a time. If that one person tends to be a difficult / involved customer, that PHP worker is going to be tied up for a while which means that other workers have to be available and if they're not, you get 504 errors which means that too many people are lined up behind that one ticket counter and things are timing out.
What I hear you saying is that even with an asynchronous, command line dynamic in place, while it's happening in the background, you're still having to employ a PHP worker. And if you've got 600 plus PDFs to process, you're launching a new instance of the PHP engine with every PDF which is going to be a huge drain on the system. That process may not timeout, but other users who are needing PHP Workers may be affected and that's where you need to exercise some caution before you head down this road.
Correct?
First off, "asynchronous" means the opposite of "synchronous," which means "in sequence." In other words, when you're operating in the context of an asynchronous dynamic, rather than being bound by a process that happens sequentially, you can now circumvent the normal flow of things and have something like a form being submitted with data returned to you without having to refresh the page. That would be an AJAX form (Asynchronous Javascript, XML).
A PHP Worker is an instance of the PHP infrastructure that is assigned to a request coming from the browser. It's like a ticket cashier at a stadium. They're capable and they're fast, but they can help only one person at a time. If that one person tends to be a difficult / involved customer, that PHP worker is going to be tied up for a while which means that other workers have to be available and if they're not, you get 504 errors which means that too many people are lined up behind that one ticket counter and things are timing out.
What I hear you saying is that even with an asynchronous, command line dynamic in place, while it's happening in the background, you're still having to employ a PHP worker. And if you've got 600 plus PDFs to process, you're launching a new instance of the PHP engine with every PDF which is going to be a huge drain on the system. That process may not timeout, but other users who are needing PHP Workers may be affected and that's where you need to exercise some caution before you head down this road.
Correct?
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Also I should note that I haven't fully tested this out yet - there may be a few quirks or glitches that need to be addressed, but you get the general idea.
ASKER
Thank you, sir!
https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/12179/PHP-Code-Profiling-and-Analyzing-Performance.html
The good news is that whenever you deal with scripts that repeat the same thing hundreds of times, every millisecond saved off of each iteration means hundreds of milliseconds saved, so ALL optimization, even the little things, counts extra.
You had a commented path at the end:
//\\192.168.1.100\d$\secur
...which suggests that maybe you're saving the generated files onto a network share. If so, that could be a bottleneck, but again, run the code profiling and see what it says. I would normally expect FPDF/FPDI to generate documents in milliseconds, not seconds.
Getting back to the whole idea of polling - basically the idea is that you would create a database table somewhere that looked like this:
Open in new window
Your initial code would simply populate this table and kick off a separate PHP process that would act as a "worker" that would try to go through and process the Waiting records.
The user wouldn't really be waiting for an AJAX response to come back - the worker would be executed independently, and would keep updating processing all of the waiting jobs, and every time that all the records for a job all reached "Completed" status, you could then copy them into the right position and let the user download them.
Meanwhile, the user's browser would just sent over AJAX requests occasionally to "check" on the status of the Jobs ("are they all done yet?"). Again, the request wouldn't do the work - it would just be checking to see if the work was done, so it could take the user to the final results.
Does that make sense?