Crontab is a task scheduling tool on Unix and Linux operating systems that allows for programming the execution of commands at specific times, either repeatedly or at a one-time occurrence.

The basic syntax of a Crontab command consists of five fields separated by spaces that define the time of execution:

• Minute (0-59)
• Hour (0-23)
• Day of the Month (1-31)
• Month (1-12)
• Day of the Week (0-6, where 0 is Sunday)

For example:

0 12 * * *

This command will execute a task every day at 12:00 PM.

• Repeating tasks: Execute tasks at regular intervals (e.g., every minute, hour, day, week, or month).
• Specific days and times: Run tasks at precise schedules (e.g., weekdays at 9:00 AM).
• Complex schedules: Combine fields for advanced timing (e.g., every weekday at 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM).

Crontab simplifies system administration and automates routine tasks, making workflows more efficient.

BinaryCoffee.ScheduleYourTask is a .NET package that brings the power of Crontab scheduling to the .NET platform. It enables developers to interact with crontab configurations programmatically.

• Retrieve existing crontab entries.
• Add or remove tasks with unique identifiers.
• Enable or disable tasks dynamically.
• Export or import crontab configurations.
• Track changes and maintain backups of crontab files.

1. Include the package in your project: Install from NuGet: BinaryCoffee.ScheduleYourTask

2. Declare the namespace:

   using SchedulingTasks;

3. Access the functionality: Use methods like Crontab.GetCrontab() to interact with crontab entries programmatically.

using SchedulingTasks;

// Retrieve existing tasks
var tasks = Crontab.GetCrontab();
Console.WriteLine("Current Crontab Entries:");
Console.WriteLine(tasks);

using SchedulingTasks;

// Add a new task to run a script daily at 2 AM
string task = "0 2 * * * /path/to/your/script.sh";
Crontab.AddTask(task);
Console.WriteLine("Task added successfully.");

using SchedulingTasks;

// Remove a task using its unique identifier
string taskIdentifier = "your-unique-identifier";
Crontab.RemoveTask(taskIdentifier);
Console.WriteLine("Task removed successfully.");

using SchedulingTasks;

// Enable a task
string taskIdentifier = "your-unique-identifier";
Crontab.EnableDisableTask(taskIdentifier, true);
Console.WriteLine("Task enabled successfully.");

// Disable a task
Crontab.EnableDisableTask(taskIdentifier, false);
Console.WriteLine("Task disabled successfully.");

using SchedulingTasks;

// Export crontab configuration to a file
string filePath = "/path/to/exported_crontab.txt";
Crontab.ExportTasks(filePath);
Console.WriteLine($"Crontab exported to {filePath}.");

using SchedulingTasks;

// Import tasks from a file
string filePath = "/path/to/imported_crontab.txt";
Crontab.ImportTasks(filePath);
Console.WriteLine("Crontab imported successfully.");

using SchedulingTasks;

// Track changes to crontab
Crontab.TrackCrontabChanges();
Console.WriteLine("Crontab changes tracked and backup created.");

• Crontab.GetCrontab(): Retrieves the current crontab configuration.

• Crontab.AddTask(string task): Adds a new task to the crontab.

• Crontab.RemoveTask(string taskIdentifier): Removes a task by its unique identifier.

• Crontab.EnableDisableTask(string taskIdentifier, bool enable): Enables or disables a task by toggling comments.

• Crontab.ExportTasks(string filePath): Exports the crontab configuration to a file.

• Crontab.ImportTasks(string filePath): Imports tasks from a crontab file.

• Crontab.TrackCrontabChanges(): Tracks changes to crontab by creating timestamped backups.

• ⏰ Scheduling made simple.
• 💻 .NET Integration for Crontab.
• 🚀 Automate your workflows effortlessly.
• 📂 Manage your tasks programmatically.

Feel free to contribute by submitting issues or pull requests to the GitHub Repository.

Made with ☕ by BinaryCoffee.