CODEWITHSUNDEEP
phpweb-servicesapache
Pateman
Pateman

Reputation: 2757

Running executable on a server with user interaction

I am looking for a way to run an executable on the server and display its UI in the browser, so that the user can interact. Is it possible? If so, please suggest some ways of how I should do this.

I think that this will have something to do with Flash, Flex, ActiveX (choose which applicable), but I am not sure and that is why I am actually asking this question.

Before you ask, "What do I need this for?", I would like to create a simple Intranet website for my local network so that my relatives can use few applications from their browsers instead of network shares or remote desktop connections.

The website will be done in PHP and running on Apache.

Any ideas, people?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 127

Answers (1)

Gordon
Gordon

Reputation: 317129

This is difficult because you cannot magically transform the UI of those applications to a UI that would render in a browser. Also, your Delphi applications likely dont have any entry points for handling HTTP based requests. Even if you could provide those via PHP you'd still have to delegate them to the executable then somehow, which means your Delphi app needs to provide the full functionality via a command line interface or similar means.

EDIT came across https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO-qca9ddqg. The video shows how to run applications built with a GTK3 UI, like GIMP, in the browser. The application itself is run and maintained completely on the server. PHP does have bindings for GTK though not for GTK3, so while it's not currently possible, it is in theory.

Upvotes: 1

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