README

A flexible framework-agnostic cron job scheduler using human-readable expressions.

• License
• Author
• Requirements
• Installation
• Usage

License

This project is open source and available under the MIT License.

Author

• Bayfront Media homepage
• Bayfront Media GitHub

Requirements

• PHP ^8.0

Installation

composer require bayfrontmedia/cron-scheduler

Usage

Start using Cron Scheduler

First, create a file to be used to schedule jobs, for example cron.php. The file can be named whatever you like.

Then, add a new entry to your crontab to run the file every minute:

* * * * * path/to/php/bin path/to/cron.php > /dev/null 2>&1

Or, to save the output from the jobs to a log file, specify a file path, such as:

* * * * * path/to/php/bin path/to/cron.php >> /path/to/cron-`date +\%Y-\%m-\%d`.log 2>&1

Now, your server will check the file every minute, and Cron Scheduler will only run the jobs that are due, according to their schedule.

Creating an instance

NOTE: All exceptions thrown by Cron Scheduler extend Bayfront\CronScheduler\CronException, so you can choose to catch exceptions as narrowly or broadly as you like.

The constructor accepts two parameters as strings: $lock_file_path and $output_file.

To prevent overlapping jobs, Cron Scheduler creates temporary "lock" files. These files are created for each job once it begins, and deleted once it completes. Jobs will be skipped when a lock file exists, even if it is due to run. If $lock_file_path === NULL, lock files will never be created, and all jobs will be allowed to overlap.

When an $output_file is specified, any output from the jobs that run will be saved to this file, unless a custom file is specified specifically for that job (see saveOutput). This has the same effect as specifying a log file in the crontab (see above).

The constructor may throw a Bayfront\CronScheduler\FilesystemException exception.

Example cron.php:

use Bayfront\CronScheduler\Cron;
use Bayfront\CronScheduler\FilesystemException;

try {

    $cron = new Cron('path/to/temp/dir', 'path/to/output/file.log');

} catch (FilesystemException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

Public methods

• getJobs
• getPreviousDate
• getNextDate
• run
• raw
• php
• call
• always
• when
• saveOutput

Job schedule

• at
• everyMinutes
• hourly
• everyHours
• daily
• weekly
• monthly
• everyMonths
• annually
• sunday
• monday
• tuesday
• wednesday
• thursday
• friday
• saturday
• january
• february
• march
• april
• may
• june
• july
• august
• september
• october
• november
• december

getJobs

Description:

Return scheduled cron jobs.

Parameters:

• (None)

Returns:

• (array)

Example:

print_r($cron->getJobs());

getPreviousDate

Description:

Get previous date a given job was scheduled to run.

Parameters:

• $label (string)
• $date_format = 'Y-m-d H:i:s' (string): Date format to return

See: https://www.php.net/manual/en/datetime.format.php

Returns:

• (string)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\LabelExistsException
• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {
    echo $cron->getPreviousDate('job-name');
    
} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

getNextDate

Description:

Get next date a given job is scheduled to run.

Parameters:

• $label (string)
• $date_format = 'Y-m-d H:i:s' (string): Date format to return

See: https://www.php.net/manual/en/datetime.format.php

Returns:

• (string)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\LabelExistsException
• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {
    echo $cron->getNextDate('job-name');
    
} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

run

Description:

Runs all queued jobs that are due.

Parameters:

• $current_time = 'now' (DateTimeInterface): Override current time by passing a DateTime instance with a given time.

Returns:

• (array): Array of data relating to the completed jobs

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\FilesystemException

The array that is returned will contain the following keys:

• jobs: Array of jobs that ran, each with their own start, end, elapsed and output keys.
• start: Timestamp of when the jobs started.
• end: Timestamp of when the jobs ended.
• elapsed: Total seconds elapsed to complete jobs.
• count: Number of jobs that ran.

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\FilesystemException

Example:

try {

    $result = $cron->run();

} catch (FilesystemException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

Another example, this time overriding (or, "spoofing") the current time:

$current_time = new DateTime('2020-09-08 10:55:00');

try {

    $result = $cron->run($current_time)

} catch (FilesystemException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

raw

Description:

Adds a raw command as a job.

By default, the job will run every minute.

Parameters:

• $label (string): Unique label to assign to this job
• $command (string)

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\LabelExistsException

Example:

try {

    $cron->raw('job-name', 'php -v');

} catch (LabelExistsException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

php

Description:

Adds a php file as a job.

By default, the job will run every minute.

Parameters:

• $label (string): Unique label to assign to this job
• $file (string): Full path to file

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\LabelExistsException

Example:

try {

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php');

} catch (LabelExistsException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

call

Description:

Adds a callable function as a job.

NOTE: Functions should return, not echo output.

By default, the job will run every minute.

Parameters:

• $label (string): Unique label to assign to this job
• $callable (callable)
• $params = [] (array): Parameters to pass to the callable

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\LabelExistsException

Example:

try {

    $cron->call('job-name', function($name) {
        return "Hello, " . $name . "\n\n";
    }, [
        'name' => 'John'
    ]);

} catch (LabelExistsException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

always

Description:

Always run job, even if previous execution is still in progress.

This prevents a lock file from being created for this job.

Parameters:

• (None)

Returns:

• (self)

Example:

try {

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->always();

} catch (LabelExistsException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

when

Description:

Add a condition for the job to run, even if it is due.

The job will only run if the return value of $callable is TRUE.

Parameters:

• $callable (callable)
• $params = [] (array)

Returns:

• (self)

Example:

try {

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->when(function($return) {
        
        return $return;
       
    }, [
        'return' => true
    ]);

} catch (LabelExistsException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

saveOutput

Description:

Save the output of the job to a given file.

This will override $output_file, if specified in the constructor.

Parameters:

• $output_file (string)

Returns:

• (self)

Example:

try {

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->saveOutput('path/to/save/output.log');

} catch (LabelExistsException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

at

Description:

Schedule job to run using a valid cron expression.

Parameters:

• $at (string)

Returns:

• (self)

Example:

try {

    // 10:00pm Monday-Friday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->at('0 22 * * 1-5');

} catch (LabelExistsException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

everyMinutes

Description:

Schedule job to run every x number of minutes.

Parameters:

• $minutes = 1 (int)

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->everyMinutes(5);

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

hourly

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given minute of every hour.

Parameters:

• $minute = 0 (int)

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->hourly(15);

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

everyHours

Description:

Schedule job to run on the hour every x number of hours.

Parameters:

• $hours = 1 (int)

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->everyHours(2);

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

daily

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time of every day.

Parameters:

• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->daily('16:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

weekly

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given weekday and time of every week.

Parameters:

• $weekday = 0 (int): 0-6 as Sunday-Saturday
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 4:30pm every Friday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->weekly(5, '16:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

monthly

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time of every month.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int): 1-31 as day of the month
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight on the 15th day of every month

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->monthly(15);

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

everyMonths

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time on the first day every x number of months.

Parameters:

• $months = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 9am on the first day every of every third month

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->everyMonths(3, '9:00');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

annually

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given month, day and time each year.

Parameters:

• $month = 1 (int)
• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight every June 20th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->annually(6, 20);

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

sunday

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time every Sunday.

Parameters:

• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight every Sunday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->sunday();

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

monday

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time every Monday.

Parameters:

• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight every Monday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->monday();

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

tuesday

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time every Tuesday.

Parameters:

• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight every Tuesday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->tuesday();

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

wednesday

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time every Wednesday.

Parameters:

• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight every Wednesday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->wednesday();

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

thursday

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time every Thursday.

Parameters:

• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight every Thursday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->thursday();

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

friday

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time every Friday.

Parameters:

• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight every Friday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->friday();

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

saturday

Description:

Schedule job to run at a given time every Saturday.

Parameters:

• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // Midnight every Saturday

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->saturday();

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

january

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each January.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every January 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->january(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

february

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each February.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every February 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->february(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

march

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each March.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every March 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->march(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

april

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each April.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every April 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->april(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

may

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each May.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every May 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->may(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

june

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each June.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every June 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->june(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

july

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each July.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every July 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->july(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

august

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each August.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every August 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->august(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

september

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each September.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every September 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->sepember(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

october

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each October.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every October 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->october(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

november

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each November.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every November 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->november(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}

december

Description:

Schedule job to run on a given day and time each December.

Parameters:

• $day = 1 (int)
• $time = '00:00' (string): Time in 24-hour format without leading zeros

Returns:

• (self)

Throws:

• Bayfront\CronScheduler\SyntaxException

Example:

try {

    // 11:30pm every December 10th

    $cron->php('job-name', 'path/to/php/file.php')->december(10, '23:30');

} catch (CronException $e) {
    die($e->getMessage());
}