CRON tasks

Many Drupal modules (such as the search functionality and maintenance to clear log files and cache) have periodic tasks that must be triggered by a scheduled job. To activate these tasks, call the cron.php page by visiting http://www.example.com/cron.php --this will pass control to the modules and the modules will decide if and what they must do.

Most UNIX based systems support the crontab utility for scheduling tasks like this. See cron MAN pages for more specific or additional configuration options. The following example crontab line will activate the cron tasks automatically on the hour:

0 * * * * wget -O - -q http://www.example.com/cron.php

Alternatively, if you do not have access to the wget command, you may also use the curl command:

0 * * * * curl --silent --compressed http://www.example.com/cron.php

Or lynx:

0 * * * *  lynx -source http://www.example.com/cron.php

Most ISP's will have instructions on how they allow access to configure cron tasks. Windows operating systems do not use cron, they use the Windows scheduler service.

For more information on using cron with Drupal see the Configuring cron jobs section of the handbook.