Cron jobs
Cron jobs are a task scheduler allowing you to setup a batch job to be executed at a future time/date, or execute regulary on a set interval. For example you can setup a cron job to backup your MySQL databases daily at midnight, compress them in a folder ready for your download in the morning.
To ease your setup process, Cpanel offer two different modes fo adding a cron job:
Standard - A user friendly interface with setable values ready in drop down lists for your to choose from, it is handy for beginners or first timers to setup cron jobs.
Advanced (Unix Style) - Advanced users that is familiar with setting up cron jobs through the command line will find this option useful to quickly setup cron jobs
NOTE: Cron jobs setup requires a good working knowledge with Linux shell commands, the script that is being setup as cron jobs should be tested thoroughly to ensure it is working as expected before setting it up as a cron job, this can minimize the danger of getting your hosting account mulfunction.
To setup or change and existing cron job:
Click Cron jobs in your website hosting account control panel.
Select either the 'Standard' or 'Advanced' mode.
Enter your regular email account for receiving status of running your cron job from the cron job scheduler.
Enter the command line to execute the job/script (it can be a shell script, cgi/perl script, php script etc, the command line execution format with full path to the script) in Command to run field.
Select the desired execution frequency from values in each of the drop down list accordingly.
When all are ready, click Save Crontab and the new cron job is added to the server.
Note: There is a Reset Changes that will return all chosen values to it's default settings if there is a need.
If you prefer to use the advanced cron job setup mode, click on the Advanced (Unix Style).
Enter appropriate numeric values in each of the fields for executing the cron job Minute, Hour, Day, Month, or Weekday fields. If you need to double confirm the values before entering, please check https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CronHowto.
Enter the cron job execution command in Command field.
Click Commit Changes to submit the new cron job to the scheduler.
Note: Click Reset Changes to reset to default values and redo again if required.
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