$num_rows = mysql_num_rows ($result);
$steps = 0;
$step_row = 100;

    ob_start ();

    while ( $row = mysql_fetch_assoc ( $result ) ) 
    {
        if ( $steps > $step_rows )
        {   
            echo "Processed $steps result(s)<br>";
             ob_flush();
             flush();
            $steps = 0;
        }
        /* we first copy the file into the folder */
        $cp_command = 'cp ' . row['somedata'] . ' ' . $temp_dir_name;

        $text = shell_exec ( $cp_command );
         
        $steps = $steps + 1;

    }   

    mysql_free_result ( $result );

    echo "Processed $num_rows result(s) completely<br>";

    ob_end_flush ();