cron job

USAGE SUMMARY

'cron job' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a computer term used to refer to a command or script run by a scheduling utility at a predetermined time. For example: "We set up a cron job to execute a backup of our data every night at midnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Disable the cron job that propagates the database.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If the user re-edits their cronfile, the cron job will start working again.

Harvard University

munin, the host statistics gatherer, is implemented as a cron job on uranus.

Columbia University

Use the Holding ID's cron job process to transfer the file from the source server to the receiving server.

Cornell University

Set up the cron job to propagate the database (see Propagate the database to each slave KDC).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We have a simple service running under a cron job which gets a list of tags and creates a task queue action for each whitelisted tweeter.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Cron jobs are not yet available.

University of California, Berkeley

A Digital Ocean server runs Cron jobs to schedule the matching of restaurants and charities.

Columbia University

Use this method for running models as part of cron jobs etc.

University of California, Berkeley

And launchd jobs are much harder for an end-user to set up than cron jobs too.

Harvard University

When our users try to set up cron jobs (using crontab -e), they seem to work fine, until the system reboots, at which point the cron jobs stop running.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling a "cron job", ensure that the script or command is executable and has the necessary permissions to perform its intended function.

Common error

A common mistake is creating a "cron job" but forgetting to set the execute permissions on the script, causing the job to fail silently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cron job" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a scheduled task on Unix-like operating systems. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a standard computing term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

38%

News & Media

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cron job" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a scheduled task on Unix-like systems. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently encountered in technical and computing contexts, across academic, news, and scientific domains. When using "cron job", ensure that scripts have proper execution permissions. Alternatives such as "scheduled task" or "automated task" can be used depending on the specific context. "Cron jobs" are instrumental for automating system maintenance and various data processing tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scheduled script

Specifically refers to a script that is run automatically.

scheduled task

Focuses on the scheduling aspect rather than the specific technology.

periodic task

Emphasizes the regularly repeated nature of the task.

automated task

Highlights the automation aspect, suitable when the timing is less important.

recurring task

Highlights the repetitive nature of the job.

background process

Emphasizes the non-interactive nature of the task.

time-based job

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the task execution.

batch process

Suggests a sequence of tasks run without user interaction at a scheduled time.

system scheduler task

Broader term that encompasses various scheduling mechanisms.

daemon process

More technical term for a background process, often used in Unix-like systems.

FAQs

How do I schedule a task using a "cron job"?

You can schedule a task using a "cron job" by editing the crontab file, which specifies when and how often the task should run. Use the command crontab -e to edit the crontab file, and then add a line with the schedule and command to execute.

What are some alternatives to using a "cron job"?

Alternatives to using a "cron job" include using systemd timers, /s/scheduled+tasks on Windows, or dedicated task scheduling tools like /s/airflow or /s/celery for more complex workflows.

How can I ensure my "cron job" is running correctly?

To ensure your "cron job" is running correctly, check the system logs for any errors or output from the job. You can also redirect the output of the cron job to a file for easier monitoring. Ensure your script handles errors gracefully.

What is the difference between a "cron job" and a daemon?

A "cron job" is a task that runs automatically at scheduled intervals, while a daemon is a background process that runs continuously, providing services without direct user interaction. They serve different purposes, though both involve automated execution.