如何在PHP中实时创建文件[关闭]

Question

Is there a PHP script where I can download a file while I am creating it in PHP?

The problem is that I have a huge script in PHP that creates a file, and to generate it, it lasts about 5 minutes. After it generates it, it downloads it, here takes another 5 mins or so.

In total it takes more than 10 minutes to download a file.

What I need is to create a script somewhat like phpmyadmin where the file downloads while it is being created.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

PS: I am using Codeigniter Framework.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

It depends how you are creating that file, a full example would be very helpful.

But basically you need to set the correct headers and then you can start outputting the result as it gets created, line by line.

header('Content-Type: application/octet-stream');
header('Content-Transfer-Encoding: Binary'); 
header('Content-disposition: attachment; filename="file.txt"'); 

for($i=1;$i<=20;$i++)
{
    echo $i . "
";
    sleep(1);
}

exit;

The download prompt will be displayed immediately but downloading the file would take at least 20 seconds.

You should probably set the headers to the correct mime type, depending on what you intend to do.

Keep in mind that in your case the size of the download isn't available so the user won't know how big the file is or how much there is left to download. This is a drawback and there is basically nothing you can do if the file isn't already created.