Communication between php and (exe) C++ Console Application

Question

Is it possible to call an exe file and get result from it?

(basic) For example if I have something like :

app.exe

#include <iostream>

void main() 
{
  std::cout << "<?php echo text_from_exe; ?>" << std::endl;
}

Can I call the exe like this :

<?php
  exec("app.exe");
?>

And get the output like " text_from_exe " ?

Answer 1

 #include <iostream>

void main() 
{
  std::cout << "echo text_from_exe;" << std::endl;
}


<?php
  exec("app.exe", $output);
  eval(implode("\n",$output));
?>

Note: This is very dangerous and shouldn't really ever be run on a public-facing server

Answer 2

Have a look at the list of program execution functions available in PHP. The shell_exec function in particular can return a console program's output in a PHP variable.