I started developing an application using PHP/HTML/CSS/JQuery/SQL and after a few months of development I discovered that some automation would be required. The level of automation that is required are triggers to perform a number of actions, the triggers include time and external activity on a computer network.
I decided to learn Java and create a Tomcat server to run the automation tasks using Web Services (ran in Tomcat) to communicate from PHP scripting to the Java backend.
However, i recently came across the Tomcat HTTP connector and at a first glance I assumed this would allow seamless communication between PHP and an already running Java service. Upon further research I suspect it doesn’t do what I first thought it did.
Can I call Java functions/methods directly (without Web Services) using this connector? Is this even possible using other methods?
Furthermore, I understand that this connector allows you to effectively replace Tomcats Coyote Component with Apaches HTTPD, which is faster and supports SSL.
Does this mean I could use the same port, for a seamless experience, between the Tomcat Web Service and my PHP Website?