How to batch process a PHP script that takes a long time to execute?

Question

I've built a PHP script that creates/restores a backup containing a sites content and database. It works really well on smaller sites but it runs into trouble on larger sites. What would be the best way to batch a script like this? Basically, it copies files from one directory to another, creates a DB dump and then zips the directory.

I've done a little bit of research, do I need to use cron jobs?

Answer 1

If it is something that happens at a fixed time / schedule, then it should be a cron job. This is fairly straightforward to set up. There are plenty of tutorials.

If, on the other hand, it is an action a user triggers from a web browser, you should fork and exec . You take in the user's input, fork and exec and then let the user know that he will be emailed when the process is complete.