how to make this script execute once a day

by writing a log file

[lindajames]

hello, i've got the following code deletes the entire content of a folder called "temp"

<?php
$dh = opendir(temp) or die ("Could not open temp directory");
while (false!== ($file = readdir($dh)))
{
if ($file!= "." && $file!= "..")
{
unlink("temp/$file") ;
echo "<font face=Verdana size=1>All Files Deleted...</font>";
}
}
?>

but i wanted to do some simple validation on it so that it only executes the deletion once a day.

basically, the script is going to execute everytime but i dont want the contents of the entire folder to be deleted everytime the script is executed. i want the script to run 2 validation rules

firstly to check if the server time is between 11:30PM and 11:49PM if it is not then the script doesnt do anything, but if it is the script basically checks a log file to see if the script has already been executed by someone else, if it has then it doesnt do nothing. but if it hasnt, it deletes the entire contents of the "temp" folder and then writes a log so that when someone else tries to execute the script it wont delete.

I've created a peace of perl code that executes a script only once a day by logging data in a file. the code looks like this:

open(TIME, "runonce.log");
$lastrun = <TIME>;
close(TIME);
($sec,$min,$hour,$mday,$mon,$year,$wday,$yday,$isdst) = localtime(time);
if($lastrun == $yday) {
print "Content-type: text/html\n\n";
exit;
} else {
open(TIME, ">runonce.log");
print TIME $yday;
close(TIME);
}

Maybe that can help someone to help me get this done in PHP. any help would be very much appreciated.

cheers
linda

[bcolflesh]

Setup a cron job that runs your script - or have your admin set it up for you.

Check:

phpfreaks.com/tutorials/28/0.php

[lindajames]

i dont have access to cron jobs plus im on windows IIS server

[mavherick]

There's an option in the control panel called "Scheduled Task", I've never used it but it might be something to look into.

mavherick

[bcolflesh]

The Windows server admin could schedule your script to run, or you can setup Task Scheduler to run it from your machine - as long as it's turned on and connected to the Internet.

[lindajames]

i dont have access to that either im using a shared hosting account not managed. thats why the only option i have is to do it script based

[mavherick]

Like bcolflesh mentionned, use the task scheduler on your own machine to call up the script on your site.

mavherick

[dreamcatcher]

You can try using Fake Cron, a CGI script that simulates a cron feature.

:)

[lindajames]

How do you create a Fake Cron using a CGI script that simulates a cron feature?

[bcolflesh]

I think he's refering to:

smarterscripts.com/cron/

Requires a Perl module that I doubt most Windows hosts have installed though.

[bcolflesh]

Hmmm - maybe this will help you:

kalab.com/freeware/cron/cron.htm

[dreamcatcher]

I think he's refering to:
smarterscripts.com/cron/

Requires a Perl module that I doubt most Windows hosts have installed though.

Yes, thats the one. I wasn`t sure if I could post a link or not. Sorry it wasn`t helpful!