PHP from commandline starts gui programs but apach

Question

First, I read some threads by people with similar problems but all answers didn't go beyond export DISPLAY=:0.0 and xauth cookies. So here is my problem and thanks in advance for your time!

I have developed a little library which renders shelves using OpenGL and GLSL. Last few days I wrapped it in a php extension and surprisingly easy it works now.

But the problem is it works only when I execute the php script using the extension from commandline $php r100.php(i successfuly run this from the http user). The script is in the webroot of apache and if I request it from the browser I get ** CRITICAL **: Unable to open display in apache's error_log.

So, to make things easier to test and to be sure that the problem is not in the library/extension, at the moment I just want to start xmms with following php script. <?php echo shell_exec("xmms"); ?> It works only from the shell too.

I've played with apache configuration so much now that I really dont know what to try. I tried $xhost + && export DISPLAY=:0.0

In the http.conf I have these SetEnv DISPLAY :0.0 SetEnv XAUTHORITY /home/OpenGL/.Xauthority

So my problem seems to be this: How can I make apache execute php script with all privileges that the http user has, including the environment?

Additional information: HTTP is in video and users groups and has a login shell(bash). I can login as http and execute scripts with no problem and can run GUI programs which show up on display 0. It seems that apache does not provide the appropriate environment for the script. I read about some difference between CLI/CGI but cant run xmms with php-cgi too...

Any ideas for additional configuration?

Regards

Answer 1

In your console, allow everyone to use the X server:

xhost +

In your PHP script, set the DISPLAY variable while executing the commands:

DISPLAY=:0 glxgears 2>&1

Answer 2

Sounds bit hazard, but basically you can add even export DISPLAY=:0.0 to apache start-up script (like in Linux /etc/init.d/httpd or apache depending distro). And "xhost +" need to be run on account which is connected to local X server as user, though I'm only wondering how it will work as php script should only live while apache http request is on-going.

Edit: Is this is kind of application launcher?, you can spawn this with exec("nohub /usr/bin/php script.php &"); .. now apache should be released and php should continue working in background.