Ubuntu – the easiest way to set up a cron job

cronsoftware-recommendation

Every time I set up a cron job there is something wrong with it and I spend a lot of time trouble shooting it.

I use Ubuntu and I would like to know what tools exist to make my life easier when setting up cron.

Install Scheduled Tasks:

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Add a job to it and set it up the way you like. It will be added to your cron table.

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If you want to run a script as a normal user:

crontab -e

And add the line:

07,37 * * * * /usr/bin/tunlrupdate.sh

If you want to run your script as root:

sudo crontab -e

And add the same line:

07,37 * * * * /usr/bin/tunlrupdate.sh

You need to tell your script which display you wish the script to run, otherwise it won't run.

Use a command like this:

*/1 * * * * DISPLAY=:0.0 /usr/bin/env python3 /home/me/DownloadImages1.0.py

You can also use a global DISPLAY variable just placing this at the top of your cronjobs list

# m h  dom mon dow   command
DISPLAY=:0.0
*/1 * * * * /usr/bin/env python3 /home/me/DownloadImages1.0.py

And you can also invoke the DISPLAY by exporting the variable from a bash script via

#!/bin/bash
export DISPLAY=":0.0"
/usr/bin/env python3 /home/me/DownloadImages1.0.py