Comet & PHP: How to use Comet with a PHP Chat System?

Question

I have to build a simple chat system in PHP using Comet.

I don't know what would be the best approach to this project.

What is the best technique (cross-browser would be nice) to use, and how to implement it? What libraries can I use that already have comet support. (I don't want to use the Bayeux Protocol)

I already have a PHP backend running for the chat system, but I need some ideas for the interaction between client and server.

Thank you all in advance. My regards.

Answer 1

You may want to look at WebChat2 This project uses comet, AJAX, and a custom HTTP server to communicate with IRC via sockets.

Answer 2

chart & Long point-by-point discussion

Unfortunately, there's no information for PHP in there, though you could potentially wrap your existing back-end with a comet server on some other platform.

There is a similar SO question about this, looks like FastCGI is your best bet.

Answer 3

php is not a good match for comet, because there is no way to have light weight request handlers. You would have to lock up a full process for each user connected. It could work with very few users, but not for anything with even moderate traffic.