PHP cURL Progress Meter

beaver6813 · 08-27-2008, 04:44 PM

Hey guys,

Just wondering if anyones had any experience with trying to get up a progress meter when using cURL or any other transfer method.
I'm transfering quite large files and need to try get cURL or whatever to output its loading status.. but I really can't figure out how to do it, any ideas anyone... please?

Cheers

Peter · 08-27-2008, 04:51 PM

to be honest in php I am not aware of any functions that will tell you the progress of the transfer and as php is a single process langauge I dont think it is possible.

If you have access to the system function you could always try using wget and periodically check the output until it is complete.

beaver6813 · 08-27-2008, 05:03 PM

Okay thanks, I'm using a combination on my image hosting site that monitors uploads using Perl and PHP, where Perl uploads the file and PHP gets the filesize transfered.. maybe i'll try something like that with cURL.
Do you know if its possible to find out the temporary filename thats created for the transfer?

Peter · 08-27-2008, 05:06 PM

cURL isn't for a user initiating a transfer such asfrom a form. cURL is for servers to intiate a transfer.

beaver6813 · 08-27-2008, 05:10 PM

Yea I know that but I'm thinking that if the server creates a temporary file to download to then surely I can read the size of that file from an external script. I didn't mean exactly copying the upload script but using the same kind of idea. :-)

Peter · 08-27-2008, 05:13 PM

but php has no knowledge of how large the file is going to be so would not know what the % is or how complete it is

nasaboy007 · 08-27-2008, 05:28 PM

one way to have dynamically updating "feedback" would be to use the flush function. it'll output whatever while still going so you can use it to somehow kinda show progress.

although peter is exactly right, php doesnt know the total filesize WHILE it's uploading, so you can't exactly do percentages, etc. you could probably get away with "Processing..." and have something moving though.

beaver6813 · 08-27-2008, 05:29 PM

That is very true actually

Only in PHP 5 can you even get the FTP remote filesize let alone HTTP.. It's just so frustrating that cURL will give a progress meter fine when operated in terminal and wont even write out a status report in PHP

Thanks for all the info Peter, i'll find a way eventually then post back here :-)

EDIT:
Nasaboy007, I thought PHP couldn't continue until the transfer/function had completed, so therefore I wouldn't be able to generate any kind of updating output during download?

Eric · 08-27-2008, 05:31 PM

PHP 5 has 'hooks' that can be used for this purpose. In fact, I believe it's built into APC (the opcode cache). There is also an extension/patch made for it.

http://the-stickman.com/web-developm...king-in-php52/

Peter · 08-27-2008, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by SecondVersion

PHP 5 has 'hooks' that can be used for this purpose. In fact, I believe it's built into APC (the opcode cache). There is also an extension/patch made for it.

http://the-stickman.com/web-developm...king-in-php52/

You need to install a pecl extension, failling that the other option is to add an extension to php which of course requires root access

beaver6813 · 08-27-2008, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by SecondVersion

PHP 5 has 'hooks' that can be used for this purpose. In fact, I believe it's built into APC (the opcode cache). There is also an extension/patch made for it.

http://the-stickman.com/web-developm...king-in-php52/

Very informative, i'll try and get my head around it all, its for a single server that i conveniently have root access to so it makes it a hell of a lot easier! Thanks!

EDIT:
I have just found a way to achieve my original objective with cURL and the use of temporary files, the only requirement is the content-length response header but apart from that its pretty easy, i'll compile a small class and post in the CODE forum soon

08-27-2008, 04:44 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
beaver6813 NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: England Posts: 392 Follow @beaver6813	PHP cURL Progress Meter Hey guys, Just wondering if anyones had any experience with trying to get up a progress meter when using cURL or any other transfer method. I'm transfering quite large files and need to try get cURL or whatever to output its loading status.. but I really can't figure out how to do it, any ideas anyone... please? Cheers __________________ -Beaver6813.com - Web Developer Extraordinaire!

08-27-2008, 04:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Peter NamePros Expert Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,069	to be honest in php I am not aware of any functions that will tell you the progress of the transfer and as php is a single process langauge I dont think it is possible. If you have access to the system function you could always try using wget and periodically check the output until it is complete. __________________ Manage your portfolio using my new Domain Portfolio Management script. Securing Your Domain Name From Theft

08-27-2008, 05:03 PM	THREAD STARTER #3 (permalink)
beaver6813 NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: England Posts: 392 Follow @beaver6813	Okay thanks, I'm using a combination on my image hosting site that monitors uploads using Perl and PHP, where Perl uploads the file and PHP gets the filesize transfered.. maybe i'll try something like that with cURL. Do you know if its possible to find out the temporary filename thats created for the transfer? __________________ -Beaver6813.com - Web Developer Extraordinaire!

08-27-2008, 05:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Peter NamePros Expert Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,069	cURL isn't for a user initiating a transfer such asfrom a form. cURL is for servers to intiate a transfer. __________________ Manage your portfolio using my new Domain Portfolio Management script. Securing Your Domain Name From Theft

08-27-2008, 05:10 PM	THREAD STARTER #5 (permalink)
beaver6813 NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: England Posts: 392 Follow @beaver6813	Yea I know that but I'm thinking that if the server creates a temporary file to download to then surely I can read the size of that file from an external script. I didn't mean exactly copying the upload script but using the same kind of idea. :-) __________________ -Beaver6813.com - Web Developer Extraordinaire!

08-27-2008, 05:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Peter NamePros Expert Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 5,069	but php has no knowledge of how large the file is going to be so would not know what the % is or how complete it is __________________ Manage your portfolio using my new Domain Portfolio Management script. Securing Your Domain Name From Theft

08-27-2008, 05:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
nasaboy007 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,219	one way to have dynamically updating "feedback" would be to use the flush function. it'll output whatever while still going so you can use it to somehow kinda show progress. although peter is exactly right, php doesnt know the total filesize WHILE it's uploading, so you can't exactly do percentages, etc. you could probably get away with "Processing..." and have something moving though. __________________ 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!

08-27-2008, 05:29 PM	THREAD STARTER #8 (permalink)
beaver6813 NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2005 Location: England Posts: 392 Follow @beaver6813	That is very true actually Only in PHP 5 can you even get the FTP remote filesize let alone HTTP.. It's just so frustrating that cURL will give a progress meter fine when operated in terminal and wont even write out a status report in PHP Thanks for all the info Peter, i'll find a way eventually then post back here :-) EDIT: Nasaboy007, I thought PHP couldn't continue until the transfer/function had completed, so therefore I wouldn't be able to generate any kind of updating output during download? __________________ -Beaver6813.com - Web Developer Extraordinaire!

08-27-2008, 05:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
Eric Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,948	PHP 5 has 'hooks' that can be used for this purpose. In fact, I believe it's built into APC (the opcode cache). There is also an extension/patch made for it. http://the-stickman.com/web-developm...king-in-php52/

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