Executing CGI on a timer.

[ZsN1Gman]

I have a few CGI programs that I need to run at certain intervals. These scripts will look at various pages and database files and make decisions based on the content.

This seems like such a trivial question, I see things like this done all the time. Someone noted that I could simply use javascript to invoke the scripts by refreshing a page every so often, but that sounds like a last resort.

There must be a better way than the js solution (a normal way). How is this typically done?

Thanks! Jim

 

[PaulTEG]

On *nix environment, you could use crontab entries to schedule your scripts to run.

On Win* you can use the scheduler either AT, or WINAT

Pass the command line "perl myscript.pl"

HTH ;P

 

[ZsN1Gman]

I think that bit of information just made my day!

You should hear some of the solutions people are spitting out around here. But you know what they say about groups.

I think now I have to take the rest of the week off.

Thanks,

 

[palbano]

>> but that sounds like a last resort.

That's not a resort it's a disaster!

PaulTEG has the right idea.

-pete

 

[ZsN1Gman]

The ghetto way .. and it wouldn't have happened (probably


You should have heard first runner up.. where every "once in awhile" the receptionist was supposed to click the refresh button.

 

[Haunter]

Do you have access to the shell or crontab. If you dont there are other possibilities.
haunter@battlestrata.com

 

[PaulTEG]

Haunter,

What are the other possibilities

PaulTEG

 

[PaulTEG]

Another possibility would be to use a client to fire the request on AT, WINAT or cron

If console fires a browser session from a command line on the lines

C:\Windows\Desktop> [URL unfurl="true"]http://www.myserver.com/cgi-bin/myscript.pl[/URL]

A remote client can be set up to run the request at whatever number of intervals you require.

You might have to set up your browser not to open a new session each time a request is recieved

HTH

PS It is adding a few more points of failure to the system, so it should be avoided