Terminating process running in background using php

Question

I am trying to execute a .exe file using exec() function on my webpage. It sometimes is entering infinite loops and the .exe file is never terminated preventing my php page from proceeding further.

exec('CodeFile.exe 1>temp\\OutputFile.txt<temp\\InputFile.txt');
unlink('CodeFile.exe');

Can any one help me out in ending the process when it enters infinite loop?

And i am using XAMPP running on Windows 10

Answer 1

Since CodeFile.exe is a program under your control, I would focus on fixing that first. With rare exceptions, infinite loops do not represent intended or desired behavior. Looking for a timeout option is the equivalent of "sweeping the problem under the rug."

Clearly, CodeFile.exe is an important step in the process, otherwise you wouldn't have written it and made it part of your architecture. Your intention is that it complete before moving on with any subsequent processing. So if it occasionally runs off and never finishes, how can you continue from a broken and unknown state?

Answer 2

    exec('CodeFile.exe 1>temp\\OutputFile.txt<temp\\InputFile.txt & timeout /t 10 & taskkill /im CodeFile.exe /f');
    unlink('CodeFile.exe');

This worked for me.:) Thank you @Charlie Hills and @FirstOne for your suggestions.