用Java与PHP交谈

Question

I have a php server that lets users create tasks to a database. Which are then queued, balanced, and executed by java on a different machine. I am trying to figure out how to tell the user that their task has been completed without having the user reload or otherwise leaving the page. I have thought about using sockets which i have not delved into with php so i am unfamiliar with. Another thought is i could have a js timer that ajaxs to see if the task was completed in the database. I am wondering if anyone has had some experience in this who could offer some insight into which would be better or if there is a better way.