Crontab in Unix

Introduction to Crontab in Unix

A utility that is always running while executing specific commands at pre-defined times is called Crontab. We use the crontab file when there are tasks that are to be executed repeatedly. The CRON daemon shell commands are given by the crontab file and these commands are run at specific date and time.  In simple terms, crontab works in the same manner as alarms in our phones. If we set the alarm at 6 A.M every day, the alarm rings at the specified time every morning on its own. Crontab is based on the same principle and this way Unix ensures that we do not forget important events.

The syntax of Crontab is as follows:

minute(s) hour(s) day(s) month(s) weekday(s) command(s)

• Crontab provides six fields. The schedule for the execution of the statement is contained in the first five fields and hence they are integer fields.
• As the name describes, the minute field holds the value in the range 0-59 showing the amount of time in minutes that the command is executed.
• As the name describes, the hour field holds the value in the range 0-23 showing the amount of time in hours that the command is executed.
• As the name describes, the day field holds the value in the range 1-31 showing the amount of time in days that the command is executed.
• As the name describes, the month field holds the value in the range 1-12 showing the amount of time in months that the command is executed.
• As the name describes, the weekday field holds the value in the range 0-6 showing the amount of time in days that the command is executed.
• The Bourne shell command is the sixth field that is to be executed.
• Using an asterisk (*) in the first five fields denotes that all possible values are allowed.
• Using a comma (,) denotes a list of values.
• Using a hyphen (-) denotes a range of values.
• Using a separator (/) denotes a step value.

Working of Crontab in Unix

Red Hat Enterprise Linux runs the tasks of the system to update the system based on a pre-configuration. Red Hat Enterprise Linux consists of task utilities that are automated like cron, at, batch, etc.

Crontab is a utility that is always running while executing specific commands at pre-defined times. If we want to run a table of commands on the desired schedule, we use crontab. These tables of commands can be managed using the command crontab. Crontab is the abbreviation for the cron table. The jobs are executed by the scheduler cron, hence the name cron table. Chronos is the word used in Greek for time and the word cron is named after Chronos.

For example, cron job can be set up to run a file once in a week, once in a month or daily or if we want to take the backup of database every day, then cron job can be used to run the script written to take the backup of database every day automatically and there is no need of manual running of the script. For example, to run the backup of user accounts at 5 A.M. Every week the following command as shown in the below snapshot must be used.

The cron daemon is driven by tables that can be installed, uninstalled or listed using crontab. Every user owns a separate crontab and they are files in /var. They are not to be edited directly though they are in /var. If a user’s crontab is to be called, -u option must be used. If -u option is not used, the crontab is executed for the person executing the command.

The following options can be used with the crontab command:

• Crontab -a filename: The crontab file is the filename to be installed.
• Crontab -e: This option is used in the crontab file is to be edited. If a crontab file doesn’t already exist, a new file is created.
• Crontab -l: This option displays the crontab file.
• Crontab -r: This option removes the crontab file.
• Crontab -v: The time at which the crontab file was edited the last time is displayed.

Cron uses an algorithm to schedule the jobs internally.

The algorithm works as follows:

1. All of the account holder’s home directories are searched to find the file named “. crontab” when the cron is started.

2. Find out the time at which the command is to be run for the crontab file found.

3. An event list places those commands to be executed in their queue along with the time in the five fields.

4. Next, it enters the main loop:

• As the task enters the queue, check the task and determine how long it runs in the future.
• The period for which it runs in the future is the time period it sleeps.
• The user has certain privileges if he creates the task. The task is executed in the background by the user when the cron awakes after the time is verified.
• Find out when to run the command the next time and place the command back in the queue of the list of events at that point in time.

There are different options to set up a cron job on different servers. Cron job cannot be set up in those servers which do not support cron. Through the control panel, a cron job can be set up on some servers. Easycron is one of the solutions for those servers which are not able to support cron.

Examples

• Crontab to run a command every day at 3.15 P.M.

15 15 * * * /path/to/script/script.sh

• Crontab to run the same script at the same time only on Monday.

15 15 * * 1 /path/to/script/script.sh

• Crontab to run the same script at the same time on Monday and Thursday.

15 15 * * 1,4 /path/to/script/script.sh

• Crontab to run the same script at the same time on Monday and Tuesday.

15 15 * * 1-2 /path/to/script/script.sh

Conclusion

The most useful utility in Unix operating system is Crontab. We can execute the commands at a specified time using crontabs. These commands are called cron jobs. They have a wide range of applications like running scheduled backups, monitoring disk space, running system maintenance tasks, etc.

Recommended Articles

This is a guide to Crontab in Unix. Here we discuss the examples and working of Crontab in Unix along with the syntax. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –

1. Unix Shell Commands
2. Unix Operators
3. Array in Unix
4. Uses of Unix