In PHP, how to detect the execution is from CLI mode or through browser ?

Question

I have a common script which Im including in my PHPcron files and the files which are accessing through the browser. Some part of the code, I need only for non cron files. How can I detect whether the execution is from CLI or through browser (I know it can be done by passing some arguments with the cron files but I dont have access to crontab). Is there any other way ?

score 187 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 22 '14 at 09:16

187

Use the php_sapi_name() function.

if (php_sapi_name() == "cli") {
    // In cli-mode
} else {
    // Not in cli-mode
}

Here are some relevant notes from the docs:

php_sapi_name — Returns the type of interface between web server and PHP

Although not exhaustive, the possible return values include aolserver, apache, apache2filter, apache2handler, caudium, cgi (until PHP 5.3), cgi-fcgi, cli, cli-server, continuity, embed, isapi, litespeed, milter, nsapi, phttpd, pi3web, roxen, thttpd, tux, and webjames.

edited Jul 22 '14 at 09:16

Andy Fleming

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answered Mar 10 '10 at 23:33

Alexander V. Ilyin

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+1 the only right way to do it. – Pekka Mar 10 '10 at 23:34
4

the PHP_SAPI can also be used for this, so it's not really the only right way to do this – mishu Jul 22 '14 at 09:18
18

This used to be a link only answer until someone copied @Linus Unnebäck's answer. Bad habbit! Downvote this one, upvote the other one... – Gottlieb Notschnabel Apr 01 '15 at 13:55
7

@GottliebNotschnabel Thank you! Very annoying to see this happening. – Linus Unnebäck Jun 18 '15 at 08:35
2

Pinching somebody else's help, tsk, tsk. Really not very awesome, dude. – Sep 09 '15 at 08:03
@mishu yes, PHP_SAPI is the best way! – Ankit Jan 14 '16 at 23:34

score 87 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 04 '10 at 10:39

87

if(php_sapi_name() == "cli") {
    //In cli-mode
} else {
    //Not in cli-mode
}

answered Apr 04 '10 at 10:39

Linus Unnebäck

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score 22 · Answer 3 · edited Jul 22 '14 at 09:25

22

There is a constant PHP_SAPI has the same value as php_sapi_name().

(available in PHP >= 4.2.0)

edited Jul 22 '14 at 09:25

Andy Fleming

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answered Jan 02 '10 at 11:39

just somebody

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This is the best way! – Ankit Jan 14 '16 at 23:35

score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 02 '10 at 11:39

3

I think you can see it from the $_SERVER variables. Try to print out the $_SERVER array for both browser & CLI and you should see differences.

answered Jan 02 '10 at 11:39

Jimmy Shelter

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This may be true, but may not be a reliable way of determining the interface being used. The proper way to check is with `php_sapi_name()`. – Andy Fleming Jul 22 '14 at 09:21

score -6 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 02 '10 at 11:40

-6

You can use:

if (isset($argc))
{
    // CLI
}
else
{
    // NOT CLI
}

answered Jan 02 '10 at 11:40

Etienne Dechamps

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-1 - `$argc` could have been set within the application, couldn't it? Not a reliable method. Cost me half a day's work once. `php_sapi_name()` is the only good way I know of. – Pekka Mar 10 '10 at 23:36
also $argv / $argc can be filled with GET variables on some configs! – Tomáš Fejfar May 09 '12 at 15:38
$argc could be disabled (not registered) in settings even for console apps – Mike Dec 07 '21 at 12:32

In PHP, how to detect the execution is from CLI mode or through browser ?

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