0 * * * * Cron Meaning
Cron is a powerful tool in Linux-based operating systems that allows users to schedule tasks to run at specific times or intervals. The syntax of a cron job consists of five asterisks, each representing a different aspect of the schedule. In this article, we will explore the meaning of the cron syntax 0 * * * *.
Breakdown of the Syntax
The 0 * * * * syntax can be broken down into five parts:
1. Minute (0)
The first asterisk represents the minute of the hour when the task will run. In this case, the 0 means that the task will run at minute 0, which means at the start of every hour.
2. Hour (*)
The second asterisk represents the hour of the day when the task will run. The * is a wildcard character that means "any" or "every". Therefore, the task will run at every hour of the day.
3. Day of the Month (*)
The third asterisk represents the day of the month when the task will run. Again, the * means that the task will run on every day of the month.
4. Month (*)
The fourth asterisk represents the month of the year when the task will run. As with the previous two asterisks, the * means that the task will run in every month.
5. Day of the Week (*)
The fifth and final asterisk represents the day of the week when the task will run. Once again, the * means that the task will run on every day of the week.
What Does 0 * * * * Mean?
So, what does the 0 * * * * syntax mean? In simple terms, it means that the task will run at minute 0 of every hour, every day, every month, and every day of the week. This means that the task will run every minute, effectively causing it to run continuously.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 0 * * * * cron syntax is a powerful tool that allows users to schedule tasks to run continuously. While it may not be the most commonly used syntax, it is an important part of the cron toolset and can be useful in certain situations.
