Web applications usually follow a synchronous communication model. However, non-interactive and long-running tasks (such as report generation) are better suited for asynchronous execution. One way to off-load tasks to run at a later time, or even on a different server, is use the Job Queue module available as a part of Zend Server 5 (though not as part of the Community Edition). Job Queue allows job scheduling based on time, priority, and even dependencies.
See the article here:
PHPMaster: Zend Job Queue
Alex StetsenkoAlex Stetsenko is a software engineer focused on architecture and development of high-load online system for real-time electricity metering and energy management. His primary concentration is PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript. In his spare time, Alex also ventures into Android development, Ruby on Rails, MongoDB and blogging at stetsenko.net.
