What's the simplest test that I can do to check if my cron jobs are working?

Question

Simple check will do, like Andy's answer. A more complicated check might also prove useful in the future. — Randell, Sep 01 '09 at 10:51

Andy · Accepted Answer · 2009-09-01T10:46:56.443

5

Set up a test cron:

*/5 * * * * echo "test" > /tmp/crontest.txt

This will write "test" to the file /tmp/crontest.txt every 5 minutes

Ensure the cron daemon crond is running using

[andy@server]# ps aux | grep cron

root 4321 0.0 0.0 76543 3211 ? Ss Jul31 0:07 crond

Check the logs using

tail /var/log/cron

Try date to ensure you are in the correct timezone

edited Sep 01 '09 at 10:46

answered Sep 01 '09 at 10:19

Andy

I had to make the first parameter to 0-59/5 to make it work. – Randell Sep 01 '09 at 10:34
Apologies it should have read */5, have amended answer – Andy Sep 01 '09 at 10:47

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 01 '09 at 10:32

1

Simply change their execution time and see the result ! :)

If you have cron that will run on

12 24 * * *

change it to

mm hh * * *

where hh and mm is an hour and minute very near to the actual time.

Once verified the execution restore the correct timing

answered Sep 01 '09 at 10:32

drAlberT

score -2 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 01 '09 at 10:25

-2

/2**** touch cronrunning >/root/Desktop

it will show u file coming to desktop

answered Sep 01 '09 at 10:25

Rajat

3

Downvoted: Bad practice, invalid syntax, bad spelling. – Jan Jungnickel Sep 01 '09 at 10:39

3 Answers3