View the output of your PHP script in Internet Explorer without a server

Hobnob · 12-21-2009, 03:33 PM

I needed to preview the output of one of my php scripts as HTML but I didn't want to download and install a server on my computer so I came up with this quick solution, hopefully it can help someone else out:

PHP Code:

  ob_start();

 
function DisplayHtmlOutput() {

    $output = ob_get_contents();

    ob_end_clean();

    

    $tmpfname = tempnam(sys_get_temp_dir(), 'php');

    $tmpfname.= '.html';

    

    $handle = fopen($tmpfname, "w");

????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/code/629889-view-output-your-php-script-internet.html
    fwrite($handle, $output);

    fclose($handle);

    

    $ie = new COM('internetexplorer.application');

    $ie->visible = true;

    $ie->navigate($tmpfname);

    

    unlink($tmpfname);

}

register_shutdown_function('DisplayHtmlOutput');

Just save the above code to a file and include it at the top of the script you want to view in IE. Example:

PHP Code:

  <?php

include "phpviewer.php";

$name = 'Robert.';

?>

 
<html>

<head>

    <title>This is just a test web page...</title>    

</head>

<body>

    Hello, <?php echo $name; ?>!

</body>

</html>

Then run the php script from command line:

Code:

php myscript.php

nasaboy007 · 12-21-2009, 04:02 PM

just so you know, the command line command "php" seems like you'd already have php installed (and possibly a server). this i think is by default on macs (and possibly linux, not sure) - but it doesn't work on windows (as far as i know).

if you are on windows and don't want to install a whole server, try xampp - it's a portable server app (so no installation needed), where you just run it and it creates a localhost server (accessible only to you) to run any webpages you may want.

Hobnob · 12-21-2009, 06:45 PM

No, I only have php installed on my system for debugging purposes. Normally I just upload the scripts to a web server, but sometimes I don't have access to the internet or I don't need any server functionality (If I did, chances are I would be using a remote server anyway.)

Blockeel · 01-05-2010, 06:01 PM

i use XAMPP

very useful

Ookie · 01-05-2010, 07:08 PM

I, too, use XAMPP.

Just reinstalled it so that I can do some WordPress

12-21-2009, 03:33 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
Hobnob NamePros Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: (US) Missouri Posts: 70	View the output of your PHP script in Internet Explorer without a server I needed to preview the output of one of my php scripts as HTML but I didn't want to download and install a server on my computer so I came up with this quick solution, hopefully it can help someone else out: PHP Code: ob_start(); function DisplayHtmlOutput() { $output = ob_get_contents(); ob_end_clean(); $tmpfname = tempnam(sys_get_temp_dir(), 'php'); $tmpfname.= '.html'; $handle = fopen($tmpfname, "w"); ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/code/629889-view-output-your-php-script-internet.html fwrite($handle, $output); fclose($handle); $ie = new COM('internetexplorer.application'); $ie->visible = true; $ie->navigate($tmpfname); unlink($tmpfname); } register_shutdown_function('DisplayHtmlOutput'); Just save the above code to a file and include it at the top of the script you want to view in IE. Example: PHP Code: `<?php include "phpviewer.php"; $name = 'Robert.'; ?> <html> <head> <title>This is just a test web page...</title> </head> <body> Hello, <?php echo $name; ?>! </body> </html>` Then run the php script from command line: Code: php myscript.php

12-21-2009, 04:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
nasaboy007 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,219	just so you know, the command line command "php" seems like you'd already have php installed (and possibly a server). this i think is by default on macs (and possibly linux, not sure) - but it doesn't work on windows (as far as i know). if you are on windows and don't want to install a whole server, try xampp - it's a portable server app (so no installation needed), where you just run it and it creates a localhost server (accessible only to you) to run any webpages you may want. __________________ Hacksar.com - Your source for random computer tips and tricks! MySiteMemberships.com - Keep track of your site registration information! Like my post? Rep is appreciated!

01-05-2010, 07:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ookie NamePros Regular Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Australia Posts: 906 Follow @designflame	I, too, use XAMPP. Just reinstalled it so that I can do some WordPress __________________ Affordable Web Design \| DN Lists - Expired Domains, Dropped Domain Lists \| Funny Tech Stories

12-21-2009, 06:45 PM	THREAD STARTER #3 (permalink)
Hobnob NamePros Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: (US) Missouri Posts: 70	No, I only have php installed on my system for debugging purposes. Normally I just upload the scripts to a web server, but sometimes I don't have access to the internet or I don't need any server functionality (If I did, chances are I would be using a remote server anyway.)

01-05-2010, 06:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Blockeel New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2	i use XAMPP very useful

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