How to run a php file in the background without actually opening the php file? (Time based event)

Question

<?php

session_start();

$con = mysqli_connect('localhost', 'root');

mysqli_select_db($con, 'id12887901_visitor');

$query = "select * from curvis1 order by id desc limit 1";
$result = mysqli_query($con, $query);
$row = mysqli_fetch_array($result);

date_default_timezone_set('Asia/Hong_Kong');
$today = date("H:i:s");
  echo $today;  

if ($today == $row['end_at']){
  $msg = "Visitor No.1 pass has expired.";
  $reg = "insert into msg(comment) values('$msg')";
  mysqli_query($con, $reg);
  echo "WTF";

} else  {
  echo "LOL";

}


?>

I want it to run in the background. I've head of using ajax but alas I have not found an ajax solution in this. Any feedback will be appreciated thank you.

This is for a notification.

How do i call the server by ajax and asking frequently if there's any changes etc.

Answer 1

Cron did the job for me after learning it! sorry for the dumb question guys.