cron job to delete files based on attributes

alpha21 · 11-09-2004, 07:53 AM

I am trying to basically makin a cron job which is to run hourly and perform the following:

In the the proposed directory, delete all *.ext files that are older than 24 hours...

I have to read man for 'find' I was advised, however, due to rush, I was wonderring if anyone would be kind enough to give me the solution or explain a summarized version of the process.

trickykid · 11-09-2004, 07:57 AM

Create a small script like this to delete the files:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#!/bin/bash

find / -type f -iname *.ext -mtime +1 -exec rm {} \;

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make it executable with a chmod +x <scriptname>

And then just edit your crontab to set the time you want it to execute, days, etc and path to this script.

alpha21 · 11-09-2004, 08:02 AM

wow, that was fast,

thx... exactly what i was in search of, saves me reading the 10 page man

i believe the part that I wasn't familiar with was: -exec rm {} which I'm guessing basically executes a remove on the found items as it goes through the search, correct?

Tinkster · 11-09-2004, 12:06 PM

Yep, got that right :)