Using virtual() to execute Perl scripts on a PHP page?

[WA]

I just read that it's possible to use the PHP function virtual() to include a page/execute a perl script as if this page is .shtml. For example:


<?
virtual("test.pl");
?>

I never realized before this was even possible. It should definitely make converting my current .shtml pages to PHP a lot easier, considering I have perl scripts I need to continue using.

Has anyone tried the above function on their pages, and are there any pitfalls to watch out for?

[firepages]

the only issue I hear of (on *NIX) is if you do a virtual on say

virtual('./cgi-bin/script.pl');

then that changes your current working directory to the cgi-bin or wherever, then any later include()'s work from the `new` current working directory ./cgi-bin as opposed to ./

but using include($_SERVER[DOCUMENT_ROOT].'/path/file.inc');

would solve that.

[Dalsor]

So you mean place the call to virtual in the .inc file or use include instead of virtual? Curious, as would may help me convince my workplace to begin using php.

[firepages]

no, the call to virtual() would be in your main page (though you can call virtual() in an include()'d file)

this is perhaps better explained in the user notes at http://www.php.net/virtual as I have rarely used virtual (and have issues with it & SSI on win32 !)

but hang 5 because when apache2 gets stable enough you will be able to use apache2 filters which will allow PHP/PERL/whatever in the same page without any of these issues.

[WA]

For more information on the virtual() command, also see here: http://www.zytrax.com/tech/php/php_ssi.htm

[Dalsor]

Great!

I can see a lot of potential uses for this. Never even knew the virtual command existed before now. Thanks for a bunch for the head's up and the links.

Gonna go play with it now and see if I can trash some code. :D