CODEWITHSUNDEEP
phppython-3.xface-recognition
Arjob Das
Arjob Das

Reputation: 1

How to run a python face recognition script from a php file?

I have a python face recognition script that uses opencv and face_recognition module to detect and match faces. I want to implement this via a php file. So that whenever the php file is opened the face recognition script starts and opens the open-cv window. However all i am getting is a blank page. The script runs if it has only print("hello world") written in it. But the real script wont start using the same method. I have both the php and python files in the same directory.

The php codes i have tried are :

<?php
$command_exec = escapeshellcmd('python test.py');
$str_output = shell_exec($command_exec);
echo $str_output;
?>

This one just prints the first print line of the program which says "now opening face recognition window"


<?php
$command_exec = escapeshellcmd('python test.py');
shell_exec($command_exec);
?>

This one just gives a blank page

I was expecting the face recognition window to open as it would if i ran the python script directly

Now the thing is I am not supposed to use opencv-php. Neither can i implement the face recognition directly on the webpage. For my purposes i need to run the python script from the php file and then run the face recognition.

Upvotes: 0

Views: 365

Answers (1)

Abdul Rahman
Abdul Rahman

Reputation: 1705

  1. Use a Background Process to Trigger the Script You can run the Python script as a background process using exec or shell_exec. Ensure the script runs under the user with GUI permissions.

Modify your PHP code:

<?php
   exec("python3 /path/to/test.py > /dev/null 2>&1 &");
   echo "Python script started!";
  ?>

This command runs the script in the background. However, the OpenCV window might still not open if the web server user lacks GUI access.

  1. Run Python Script via a Local Server Instead of running the Python script directly from PHP, use a local Python HTTP server to handle the face recognition. The PHP script can send a request to this server.

Step 1: Create a Python server (e.g., Flask) that runs the face recognition script when triggered:

Python:

from flask import Flask
import subprocess

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/run-face-recognition', methods=['GET'])
def run_face_recognition():
    subprocess.Popen(["python3", "test.py"])
    return "Face recognition script started!"

if __name__ == "__main__":
    app.run(port=5000)

Step 2: Start the Flask server:

Bash

python3 flask_server.py

Step 3: Trigger the script from PHP:

PHP

<?php
 $url = 'http://localhost:5000/run-face-recognition';
 file_get_contents($url);
 echo "Face recognition script triggered!";
 ?>

This approach decouples the web server (PHP) from the GUI constraints and ensures smoother execution.

3. Use a Desktop Environment Ensure the Python script runs under a user with GUI access. Modify the PHP script to switch the user to the one logged into the desktop session.

Modify test.py:

**Python**
import os
import cv2

 os.environ["DISPLAY"] = ":0"  # Set the display variable for GUI access
 # Your OpenCV code here
 Ensure the web server has permissions to access the GUI session:

Bash

sudo xhost +SI:localuser:www-data
Modify PHP to execute the script:

PHP

 <?php
 exec("python3 /path/to/test.py");
 echo "Face recognition started!";
 ?>

4. Debugging Tips Test if the Python script runs correctly outside the PHP context:

Bash

python3 /path/to/test.py
Log errors to understand what’s failing:

PHP

<?php
 $output = shell_exec('python3 /path/to/test.py 2>&1');
 echo "<pre>$output</pre>";
 ?>

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions