ok, I give, what's a cron job?

[mediafetish]

Anybody want to give me the idiot-proof explanation of cron jobs and when/if I should do them... learn about them... etc.? I seem to get the idea that they are batched commands run by the server at specified intervals? Are the required? At the WHM site I saw something that said if I don't do my cron jobs things could get backed up...? I'm new to all this stuff...

[Stef]

Hi,

you're right, cronjobs are "commands run by the server at specified intervals".
f.e. you might have created a script, myscript, that needs to be run every Monday at 03:15am. You could have this crontab entry:
15 3 * * 1 /home/username/myscript

From within CPanel, you can easily add cronjobs from within the Advanced Tools section. There's also a link to a page explaining cronjobs.

So cronjobs are not 'requiered' unless there's something that needs to be executed on a regular interval.

[lktree]

ok, your refering to the WHMAP site or manual, right? So yes, it's a good idea to set up those crons as instructed. It's very easy to do with cPanel, just make sure you enter the variables exactly as they appear.

The most important of those cron jobs is the daily database backup. The others may be a bit of overkill until you have regular sign-ups and a growing client base.

Les K

[haggis]

Originally Posted by lktree

ok, your refering to the WHMAP site or manual, right? So yes, it's a good idea to set up those crons as instructed. It's very easy to do with cPanel, just make sure you enter the variables exactly as they appear.

The most important of those cron jobs is the daily database backup. The others may be a bit of overkill until you have regular sign-ups and a growing client base.

Les K

I've wondered for a long time what these were too, but haven't really needed to find out until now.
I've looked thru the index of the WHM manual and can't find any reference to Cron jobs.
Gone to my cPanel and discovered that the options for Standard and Advanced seem to be round the wrong way round. The cPanel manual says that the "standard" button will take me to "a range of pre-set options" and allow me to enter an email address - instead I get a list of time-date options and a line for entering commands.
If I go for the "unix style" interface I get the place to enter an email address and 5 boxes for setting the time.
Nowhere do I see "a range of pre-set options".

tia
Malc

*Edited* - I've just seen another thread with a linkt o WHMAP manual and there is a decent explanation in there.
Will read and attempt to understand.

[sselden]

Thanks for posting this, as I came to the forum with exactly the same question.

Very much appreciate folks taking the time to answer questions!! I can't emphasis enough how helpful it's been (especially late at night!!)

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-
sharon