running cron jobs at random times

fakie_flip · 11-23-2007, 06:19 PM

How is it possible to run cron jobs at random times?

harry edwards · 11-23-2007, 06:32 PM

I do not think it's possible; although, you could run a script every so many minutes and code the random element into the script i.e.

#!/bin/sh

# Grab a random value between 0-32767.
value=$RANDOM
if[ $value -lt 240 ]; then
<executed command>
fi

This gives a 240 in 32767 chance of execution.

Geremia · 11-15-2017, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fakie_flip

How is it possible to run cron jobs at random times?

To run everyday at a random time:

Code:

0 0 * * * sleep `echo $RANDOM/32767*86400 | bc -l`; <command_to_execute>

86400 is the number of seconds in a day, and 32767 is the maximum value $RANDOM can be.

RandomTroll · 11-15-2017, 01:54 PM

You may want to use at instead. You can schedule an at job by echoing a string into it; ctrl-d is the end. echo -e allows sending special characters.