[SOLVED] at verses cron syntax

apaquet · 12-19-2019, 12:48 PM

I am running scripts via cron without issue but I have a need to run something similar with at. I am sending 2 arguments, XYZ and 1, to my script. My working cron line is

Code:

*/2 0,1,3-23 * * 0-6 /usr/bin/sh /home/user/dir/script.sh XYZ 1 >/dev/null 2>&1

The script writes an output file in /home/user/dir/ and the script uses full, not relative, path definitions. I have tried a dozen different variations of my working cron line, as the user and as root, with no success and I've also searched high and low but I am finding it very hard to find any relevant information using "at" in searches...go figure.

Please save my sanity!

michaelk · 12-19-2019, 01:05 PM

It should not be hard to find at command howtos.

Code:

echo "sh /home/user/dir/script.sh XYZ 1 >/dev/null 2>&1" | at <execution time>

https://tecadmin.net/one-time-task-s...mmad-in-linux/

scasey · 12-19-2019, 01:12 PM

What, exactly, have you tried? Show us the at command lines you entered and tell us what did (or didn't) happen.
"no success" doesn't give us much to go on to help.

ehartman · 12-19-2019, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apaquet

I am running scripts via cron without issue but I have a need to run something similar with at.

Cron syntax (periodical) and at syntax (one time execution) have got nothing to do with each other, in most distributions they're even completely different daemons.

Code:

*/2 0,1,3-23 * * 0-6 /usr/bin/sh /home/user/dir/script.sh XYZ 1 >/dev/null 2>&1

Just for info: as "0" is the same as "7" (sunday), the 0-6 in the 5th field means everyday in the week, so the "*" value would do the same.

apaquet · 12-19-2019, 01:57 PM

I was trying things doing "at now + 1 minute" and then entering commands, ENTER, then ctrl-d. However, after getting the echo "CMD" | at <execution time> syntax and it still was not working, I realized I had logged in as root and su to user but I was still in the /root directory...After opening a new session as user the recommended notation worked.

PEBKAC - Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair. I will hang my head in shame for 1 hour.

ehartman · 12-19-2019, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apaquet

PEBKAC - Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair.

Other variant: PEBKAB (with Brain as the last word).

scasey · 12-19-2019, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apaquet

I was trying things doing "at now + 1 minute" and then entering commands, ENTER, then ctrl-d. However, after getting the echo "CMD" | at <execution time> syntax and it still was not working, I realized I had logged in as root and su to user but I was still in the /root directory...After opening a new session as user the recommended notation worked.

PEBKAC - Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair. I will hang my head in shame for 1 hour.

I've also heard ALNATKB -- A Loose Nut At The Keyboard.

I have developed the habit of using

Code:

su - user

when switching from root to a user. The minus (-) causes the the login to switch to the user's environment and home directory, which is what one wants most of the time in that situation.

ehartman · 12-20-2019, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scasey

I have developed the habit of using

Code:

su - user

when switching from root to a user.

I've even aliased (system-wide) su to su -, you normally always want to switch to the new user's home dir (and aliases, etc). So both going towards root as from root to another user ID.