read input from html forms, execute local program,output results

Question

I have a question that will help me understand how stuff works and investigate feasibility of a bigger plan I have in mind.

Simply given - lets assume that all things run locally - I am wondering if it is possible to:

• create an html page with a form that will prompt the user to enter the local path of an input file inputFile.dat

• this input file will be fed to a c++ exe program that expects it for input

• the c++ exe file will run (this exe file depends on libraries etc but lets assume all are local here)

• ... and will output the result on screen

It sounds simple, but is it?

Many thanks folks!

Answer 1

Yes, this is definitely possible, if you want to use PHP or some other scripting language.

• Create a form on your web page
  • Add the directory of the program
  • Add the directory of the data
• When submitted, use the PHP (or other language) exec function (docs) to execute the program, with the supplied data as argument
• The exec function returns output from the program.
• Display the output as wished on your page.

Good luck!