Run an Interactive Shell Script in PHP

Question

I have a shell script that requires input during runtime. Is it possible to echo input into the shell script during the exec()?

IE in a normal shell: $ ./script.sh

Input: Whats your favorite color: [Type your answer] Red

Output: Your favorite color is Red.

The Shell scripts have already been developed and are used to test external hardware and requires a keypress to move to the next test. I think I can find a way around doing it this way, however, I was just curious if it was possible. I will probably end up splitting each test into its own script and just output the result. — Fostah
– Fostah, Commented Jul 12, 2012 at 20:54

Louis-Philippe Huberdeau · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-12 20:56:09Z

3

I'm not sure exactly which side you are asking for, but I will answer both anyway.

From PHP, you can read user input from the shell. It can be done using the readline() function or simply using streams. Depending on the PHP version you are using and the environment, it can be either php://input or php://stdin. You can simply fopen() on those and read as usual.

If you want to interact with a shell script you are calling, you will need to use proc_open() rather than exec. It is a little more trouble, but there are no ways around. The function will provide you with separate streams for input, output and error, you can read them as needed to do your task.

answered Jul 12, 2012 at 20:56

Louis-Philippe Huberdeau

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2 Comments

Fostah Over a year ago

proc_open sounds like what I am looking for. I basically want to be able to run a shell script, view the output, enter dynamic input, repeat.

Louis-Philippe Huberdeau Over a year ago

Yes, this is what you need. It would be better to use arguments to the shell function when possible as it is more stable, but there are cases where it is just not an option.

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