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execute local program from extern server? is this possible

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 1:35 pm
by thallish
Hi guys

I'm looking to establish if it's possible to run a local program like whatever.exe from a webpage, that in this case its residing on an intranet
Can this be done? i know that this could be a huge security risk, but... Or is it only possible to do from a local server? I know this can be done with for instance exec(though i haven't gotten it yet :P )

They whole issue is that I'm developing a toolpage that have to include a bunch of other tools or at least give access to these tools and the point is that the users have to add what ever programs they use to a tool list and these programs will reside on their own local machines.

If it isn't possible then they'll probably have to place the programs on the server and then run them from there. In that case how should this be done?

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:13 pm
by pilau
As far as I know, when you run a program, even if it's on another system, you run it on YOUR computer.

For example, if you start wmplayer.exe from a second PC on your LAN, then the program will use your PC resources and HD space to run.

Regarding internet capabilities of doing so, you probalby already know everything you get on the internet is downloaded, that is, it's going to be on your harddiask anyway.

More food for thought:
Some programs (very much especially Windows programs) install system files (and, in case of Windows, registry items), that can be found only on the computer where it was installed, so if you'd try to run it on your computer, most of those programs just won't work. (However that only corresponds to programs on LAN PCs)

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:39 pm
by thallish
hii
pilau wrote: Regarding internet capabilities of doing so, you probalby already know everything you get on the internet is downloaded, that is, it's going to be on your harddiask anyway.
but thats what so cool with PHP you dont download PHP-pages, but processed PHP-files :wink:

But to clarify my question a bit:

Can i press a link, and send a query to the specific external server where the PHP-files reside and say: Hey can you open this program on my local computer?
pilau wrote: More food for thought:
Some programs (very much especially Windows programs) install system files (and, in case of Windows, registry items), that can be found only on the computer where it was installed, so if you'd try to run it on your computer, most of those programs just won't work. (However that only corresponds to programs on LAN PCs)
point taken and well thought :wink: from what i've been told they all work on windows machines, so that's more to consider

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:57 pm
by pilau
thallish wrote: Can i press a link, and send a query to the specific external server where the PHP-files reside and say: Hey can you open this program on my local computer?
r
Where does that programs exsits?

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 3:16 pm
by thallish
it exist on the local computer

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 3:23 pm
by Skara
If both computers are unix based, it might be possible, but I don't know about winblows.