0 0 0/1 * * Cron Expression Means

Suzhoumeite

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Jul 03, 2024

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**Understanding Cron Expressions: 0 0 0/1 * * **

Cron expressions are used to schedule tasks in Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS. They are a powerful tool for automating repetitive tasks, such as backups, log rotations, and maintenance tasks. In this article, we will break down the 0 0 0/1 * * cron expression and explain what it means.

The Five Parts of a Cron Expression

A cron expression consists of five parts, each separated by a space:

• Minute: specifies the minute of the hour when the task should run
• Hour: specifies the hour of the day when the task should run
• Day of the month: specifies the day of the month when the task should run
• Month: specifies the month of the year when the task should run
• Day of the week: specifies the day of the week when the task should run

**Breaking Down 0 0 0/1 * * **

Let's break down the 0 0 0/1 * * cron expression:

• Minute: 0 - the task will run at minute 0 of the hour (i.e., at the top of the hour)
• Hour: 0 - the task will run at hour 0 of the day (i.e., at midnight)
• Day of the month: 0/1 - the task will run every 1 day, starting from day 0 of the month (i.e., the first day of the month)
• Month: * - the task will run every month (i.e., no specific month is specified)
• Day of the week: * - the task will run every day of the week (i.e., no specific day of the week is specified)

What Does it Mean?

So, what does 0 0 0/1 * * mean in plain English? It means that the task will run every day at midnight (00:00) on the first day of the month.

Here are some examples of when the task would run:

• January 1st, 00:00
• February 1st, 00:00
• March 1st, 00:00
• ...

In summary, 0 0 0/1 * * is a cron expression that schedules a task to run daily at midnight on the first day of every month.