How can I make a block time out if it encounters a problem?

Regular Joined: Jul 27, 2007 Posts: 77

I have developed a block that reads RSS feeds from a number of sources combining them into one output.

The trouble is that the block continually tries to read the RSS feed even if the page is unavailable, this holds up the rest of the page loading as the blocks appears to load in order and it take an absolute age to time out and eventually results in an Internal Server Error.

I am trying to find a way to define that if anything in the block takes longer than 30 seconds to get a response it should just assume that the feed is empty and to move on to the next command.

I can post some script if it helps but it does have a number is includes. (for RSS Parsing etc)

Paul

registered · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:26 am

What PHP function are you using to go get the content? I would search in the PHP manual for additional parameters that you can set up for that function. For example, look at function fsockopen in the manual. Wink

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:19 am

The headlines function in mainfile does a fsockopen read of an external feed. You can take a look at that for an example. And fsockopen does have a timeout parameter in it as Montego hints. That is used in the headlines function. So you have the manual and an example. What more could there be?

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:12 am

Thanks both. I will check that out. You see as a non-programmer I don't even know of the existence of commands such as FSOCKOPEN so I have to rely on you shoving me in the right direction. Smile

Paul

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:21 am

Please don't take this wrong, but really do familiarize yourself with the on-line PHP manual and searches there; it is an invaluable resource. You could end up finding your answers quicker is all. You can even download the entire manual as a windows help file.