how to hide system() output

use ob_start(); before and ob_clean(); after calling it

http://sandbox.phpcode.eu/g/850a3.php

<?php 
ob_start(); 
echo '<pre>'; 
$last_line = system('ls'); 
ob_clean(); 
echo 'nothing returned!'; 
?>

The documentation for system() specifically says:

Execute an external program and display the output

On that page are listed alternatives. If you use the exec function instead, it will only execute the commands without displaying any output.

Example:

<?php
echo "Hello, ";
system("ls -l");
echo "world!\n";
?>

will display the output of system:

$ php -q foo.php
Hello, total 1
-rw-r--r-- 1 bar domain users 59 Jul 15 16:10 foo.php
world!

while using exec will not display any output:

<?php
echo "Hello, ";
exec("ls -l");
echo "world!\n";
?>

$ php -q foo.php
Hello, world!

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