Set max_execution_time in PHP CLI

Question

I know that PHP CLI is usually used because of none time limits and primary because it is not using Apache threads/processes.

But is there any way how to explicitly set the max_execution_time for some scripts which i don't want to have the freedom of "unlimited time" and just want to keep those script under control?

If you think this question may be better answered on superuser.com and have permission to move it, do it. :)

Edit: I've been Googling a bit and found the right parameter:

php -d max_execution_time=5 script.php

Answer 1

The documentation says that when running in command line mode, the default is 0 (unlimited). It doesn't say that you cannot override it:

set_time_limit(10); // this way
ini_set('max_execution_time', 10); // or this way

Edit: I just tried it myself, and it works as expected.

F:\dev\www>c:php -f index.php
PHP Fatal error:  Maximum execution time of 2 seconds exceeded in F:\dev\www\index.php on line 3

Fatal error: Maximum execution time of 2 seconds exceeded in F:\dev\www\index.php on line 3