changing the date of a file on a webserver

**testpie** · 06-04-2008, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by bigalownz

I got 10000's html files hosted that where from 2004 to 2006 etc

is there a script or programe i can use to change the 10000's html files date from 2005/2006 to 2008

thanks

i found a lot of file date changers on google but they only work with windows

If you're using *NIX (UNIX/Linux) like I assume, couldn't you write a simple PHP script that just rips through all the files in the directory, opens them and then saves them all, changing the modified time to the day the script was run on?

**bigalownz** · 06-04-2008, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by testpie

If you're using *NIX (UNIX/Linux) like I assume, couldn't you write a simple PHP script that just rips through all the files in the directory, opens them and then saves them all, changing the modified time to the day the script was run on?

yes thats what im looking for
but i dont know how to write a php script like that

**testpie** · 06-04-2008, 04:57 AM

Originally posted by bigalownz

yes thats what im looking for
but i dont know how to write a php script like that

Here you go, just remember to change the DIR_HERE to the directory the files are in (e.g. /home/user/public_html/filedirectory/):

PHP Code:

<?php
## Variables
# Directory
$dir = "DIR_HERE";

## Code
if($handle = opendir($dir)) {
 print "<p>Processing files...</p>";
 # Loop through files in dir
 while(false !== ($file = readdir($handle))) {
  # Get file data
  $data = file_get_contents($file);
  # Write data back to file
  $fp = fopen($file, "w");
  fwrite($fp, $data);
  fclose($fp);
  # Give output
  print "<p>Done &quot;".$file."&quot;</p>";
 }
 # Close dir
 closedir($handle);
}
print "<br /><p>Finished</p>"
?>

**Spudstr** · 06-04-2008, 05:06 AM

you can use the system command touch to change the timestamp on a file as well. no need to use all the resources to open/close a file.

**gornyhuy** · 06-04-2008, 05:27 AM

Yeah, touch is way more efficient and is designed to do exactly what you want.

**bigalownz** · 06-04-2008, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by testpie

Here you go, just remember to change the DIR_HERE to the directory the files are in (e.g. /home/user/public_html/filedirectory/):

PHP Code:

<?php
## Variables
# Directory
$dir = "DIR_HERE";

## Code
if($handle = opendir($dir)) {
 print "<p>Processing files...</p>";
 # Loop through files in dir
 while(false !== ($file = readdir($handle))) {
  # Get file data
  $data = file_get_contents($file);
  # Write data back to file
  $fp = fopen($file, "w");
  fwrite($fp, $data);
  fclose($fp);
  # Give output
  print "<p>Done &quot;".$file."&quot;</p>";
 }
 # Close dir
 closedir($handle);
}
print "<br /><p>Finished</p>"
?>

thanks for your help
will it change the date on all files?
as i just want .html to change

**darksoul** · 06-04-2008, 06:22 AM

go to the directory where the files are and run this command (ssh)

Code:

find . -name "*.html" -print0|xargs -0 touch

P.S. the php script above changes all files regardless of extension

**testpie** · 06-04-2008, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by bigalownz

thanks for your help
will it change the date on all files?
as i just want .html to change

As darksoul said, the script I provided will change all files regardless of extension, and is admittedly exhaustive on CPU and I/O resources because it has to keep opening and closing files. You would be better off taking darksoul's advice and doing the following:

Originally posted by darksoul

go to the directory where the files are and run this command (ssh)

Code:

find . -name "*.html" -print0|xargs -0 touch

P.S. the php script above changes all files regardless of extension

As for me, one day I'll lock myself in a room and force myself to learn the ins and outs of Linux... one day...

**bigalownz** · 06-06-2008, 11:55 PM

thanks guys for the help

i used

find . -name "*.html" -print0|xargs -0 touch

and it worked great

**bigalownz** · 06-06-2008, 11:56 PM

Originally posted by testpie

As for me, one day I'll lock myself in a room and force myself to learn the ins and outs of Linux... one day...

i should

it took me years to learn windows

changing the date of a file on a webserver

changing the date of a file on a webserver

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment