How to run a PHP script continuously on webhost?

Question

I have a PHP script that retrieves list of urls from a site and stores them in a MYSQL table. I want to run the script again and again [with some time delay] and update the table. I am using codeigniter framework.

How can I do it?

• Should I run a cron job?
• Or should I make a start/stop page with infinte loop?

P.S my webhost is GoDaddy

Answer 1

The first option would be a better go:

Should I run a cron job?

Avoid using infinite loops.

Answer 2

If your webhost doesn't support cron, there are PLENTY of online services that will call your remote page every 1, 5, 60 minutes etc.

http://www.setcronjob.com/

Is one I've used before. Type in "online cron job" in google and you have your pick of about 20.

edit: The free version of what I linked above is limited to one call per 5 minutes. There may be other free ones that are better.