[UPHPU] Forking A Script

[Ken Snyder]

I need some type of script forking and I'm wondering if there is a good 
way in PHP.

Here is the situation: I have a script where a user picks some options 
and a large report file is generated and emailed.  The report will take 
several minutes to compile and I'd like to allow the user to continue 
using the site.  So basically, I'm thinking that at the end of the 
script I want to spawn off the report script and return some html to the 
user so the user doesn't have to wait for the report.

I've considered work arounds such as cron batching and AJAX, but I keep 
thinking there has to be a way to do it in PHP.  I've looked at starting 
the report script with a shell command, but it seems PHP waits for a 
return value.  Does anyone have any insight on forking?

Thanks,

Ken Snyder