Cron jobs
Cron jobs allow you to automate repetitive tasks on
the server that hosts your web site. This is a powerful
tool that allows you to take a hands-free approach to
repetitive tasks. For example, you could add a cron
job that automatically copies a MySQL database to a
separate location on your site as a backup.
There are two different modes you can use to add a
cron job:
-
Standard - Provides a range of
pre-set options that you can choose. This is the
simplest method and is recommended.
-
Advanced (Unix Style) - Provides
the regular Unix style cron options. Recommended
for users who are used to this method of entering
cron entries.
Warning: You need to have a good
knowledge of Linux commands before you can use cron
jobs effectively. Check your script with your hosting
administrator before adding a cron
job.
To add or modify a cron job:
-
Click on the Cron jobs button
on the home page.
-
If you want to use the Standard mode, click on
the Standard button.
-
Enter the e-mail address to send the results
of running the cron job in the top field.
-
Enter the command the you want to run in the
Command to run field.
-
Click on one option from each of the available
lists.
-
Click on the Save Crontab
button. Your cron job has now been added or
updated.
Note: You can always click
on the Reset Changes button
to change the cron job back to whatever it was
before you started entering information.
If you want to use the Advanced mode, click on
the Advanced (Unix Style) button.
-
Enter the times for the cron job in the Minute,
Hour, Day,
Month, or Weekday
fields. Refer to the following page to check
exactly how to enter values in these fields
- http://www.redhat.com/support/resources/tips/cron/cron.html.
-
Enter the cron job script in the Command
field.
-
Click on the Commit Changes
button. Your cron job has now been added or
updated.
Note: You can always click
on the Reset Changes button
to change the cron job back to whatever it
was before you started entering information.
Topics:
Deleting a
cron job