Are there alternative PHP functions, such as system() or passthru(), that can be used to start external programs?

Yes, there are alternative PHP functions that can be used to start external programs, such as exec(), shell_exec(), system(), and passthru(). These functions allow you to execute shell commands or start external programs from within your PHP script. However, it is important to use these functions carefully, as they can pose security risks if not properly sanitized. 

// Example using the exec() function to start an external program
$command = 'ls -l';
exec($command, $output);
print_r($output);

Keywords

system passthru PHP functions external programs alternative

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