How do I check if the php function file() fails?

farmerjoe · 11-30-2007, 06:19 PM

I am using the file() function in PHP to grab the source of a URL. The problem I am having is that every once in a while file() will randomly fail to open the URL and throw a "failed to open stream" error. Is there a simple way I can check for this and retry the file() function if it does fail?

Thanks,
Farmerjoe

forrestt · 11-30-2007, 06:25 PM

According to: http://us.php.net/file

Return Values

Returns the file in an array. Each element of the array corresponds to a line in the file, with the newline still attached. Upon failure, file() returns FALSE.

So, if the value returned is false, get it again.

HTH

Forrest

farmerjoe · 11-30-2007, 06:42 PM

well i tried this but it didn't work. :

while(!$lines)
{
$lines = file($letterurl);
}

I still get a failed message everyonce in a while. Is there a better why to retry if it fails?

chrism01 · 12-01-2007, 06:40 PM

Try different logic:

NB: pseudo-logic; i'm not a PHP programmer.
if( file($letterurl) )
then
$lines = file($letterurl);
else
log/email an error
fi

pafinator11 · 12-01-2007, 09:16 PM

I would try:

Code:

$lines = "false";

while($lines == "false" && $attempts < 5){

$lines = file($letterurl);

$attempts + 1;
}

This will give it five tries before it quits.

ghostdog74 · 12-02-2007, 04:36 AM

Code:

<?php

while (1) 
{
 status = file(..);
 if ( status )
 {
   break;
 }
}

?>

farmerjoe · 12-02-2007, 09:17 AM

Thanks guys!

I began just doing this:

Code:

$lines = file($URL);

while(!$lines)
{
       file($URL);
}

But obviously, if I ever did get a bad URL, it would be in an endless loop.
pafinator11, your solution solves that problem quite well. I thank all you guys for your help! I can always count on the community here!