A button to start php script, how?

Question

I want to make a button that starts my php script after I click it. So do I just make 2 separate files and have action post to the php file and then let it start? or is there a better way to do this? Possibly in one document?

Update:

Well, I basically made a script that would do a series of a loops until it's finished. So usually when I visit the page it automatically starts, so I'm making a button to start it only when I need it.

More info: Answer to one of the questions, "starting the script" as in it would only execute the script.

More info: I really don't need to pass any data from the submit form to the php script. I just want my script to run when I hit a button. I just want to know what's the best way to do this.

Answer 1

Having 2 files like you suggested would be the easiest solution.

For instance:

2 files solution:

index.html

(.. your html ..)
<form action="script.php" method="get">
  <input type="submit" value="Run me now!">
</form>
(...)

script.php

<?php
  echo "Hello world!"; // Your code here
?>

Single file solution:

index.php

<?php
  if (!empty($_GET['act'])) {
    echo "Hello world!"; //Your code here
  } else {
?>
(.. your html ..)
<form action="index.php" method="get">
  <input type="hidden" name="act" value="run">
  <input type="submit" value="Run me now!">
</form>
<?php
  }
?>

Answer 2

I know this question is 5 years old, but for anybody wondering how to do this without re-rendering the main page. This solution uses the dart editor/scripting language.

You could have an <object> tag that contains a data attribute. Make the <object> 1px by 1px and then use something like dart to dynamically change the <object>'s data attribute which re-renders the data in the 1px by 1px object.

HTML Script:

<object id="external_source" type="text/html" data="" width="1px" height="1px">
</object>

<button id="button1" type="button">Start Script</button>

<script async type="application/dart" src="dartScript.dart"></script>
<script async src="packages/browser/dart.js"></script>

someScript.php:

<?php
echo 'hello world';
?>

dartScript.dart:

import 'dart:html';

InputElement button1;
ObjectElement externalSource;

void main() {
    button1 = querySelector('#button1')
        ..onClick.listen(runExternalSource);

    externalSource = querySelector('#external_source');
}

void runExternalSource(Event e) {
    externalSource.setAttribute('data', 'someScript.php');
}

So long as you aren't posting any information and you are just looking to run a script, this should work just fine.

Just build the dart script using "pub Build(generate JS)" and then upload the package onto your server.

Answer 3

You could do it in one document if you had a conditional based on params sent over. Eg:

if (isset($_GET['secret_param'])) {
    <run script>
} else {
    <display button>
}

I think the best way though is to have two files.