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'''webcron''' is the term for a time-based [[job scheduler]] hosted on a [[web server]]. The name derives its roots from the phrase ''web server'' and the Unix daemon [[cron]]. A webcron solution{{solution-inline|date=February 2020}} enables users to schedule jobs to run within the web server environment on a [[web host]] that does not offer a [[shell account]] or other means of scheduling jobs.<ref name="WebCronDoc">[http://barebonescms.com/documentation/webcron/ WebCron product documentation], retrieved December 1, 2010</ref><ref name=":0">{{psccite book |last1=Skvorc |first1=Bruno |last2=Punt |first2=Thomas |last3=Rafie |first3=Younes |last4=Pitt |first4=Christopher |last5=Lavaryan |first5=Reza |title=Better PHP Development |date=December16 2010August 2017 |publisher=SitePoint Pty Ltd |isbn=978-1-4920-2360-9 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Better_PHP_Development/XczDEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=webcron+schedule&pg=PT78&printsec=frontcover |language=en}}</ref>

== Overview ==

Many web hosts offer shell accounts or some sort of built-in job scheduler such as ''cron'' that makes it easy for users to schedule jobs. Such hosts run jobs as [[command-line application]] applicationss that may optionally communicate with the web server. A webcron solution, however, runs entirely within the purview of the web server environment of a web host. This allows a webcron solution to operate on hosts that do not offer a job scheduler such as cron or a shell account. A webcron solution will also run equally well on hosts that do offer users such capabilities but is designed as a substitution oran replacementalternative.<ref name="phpJobSched">[http://www.phpjobscheduler.co.uk/ phpJobScheduler overview documentation], retrieved October 14, 2010</ref>{{psc|date<ref name=December":0" 2010}}/>

A webcron solution is made up of two pieces. The first piece is a script that will execute the tasks that resides somewhere accessible via a [[URL]]. The second piece is to use a scheduling provider that contacts the URL of the script at regular intervals.

Before setting up a schedule with a scheduling provider, a user must set up a script that runs on the web server. Most{{which|date=December 2010}} web hosts have restrictions on the length of time a single instance of a script may execute. ManyMultiple{{which|date=December 2010}} web hosts also have limitations on [[CPU]] and [[RAM]] resource usage. Users of webcron solutions on [[shared hosting]] providers must be careful to not repeatedly exceed their web host's limitations so as to not get kicked off. A script that runs a long time must take into account that it may be terminated at any point by a web server process. Users may implement a [[state machine]], which allows the script to operate across multiple invocations and run within the limitations imposed by a web host.<ref name="WebCronDoc" />{{psc|date=December 2010}}

== Scheduling Providers ==

=== Third-Party ===

There are manymultiple third-party webcron scheduling providers on the web.<ref name=setcron1>[https://www.setcron.com/ SetCron is a task scheduler service/ webcron that allows you to schedule cronjobs.]</ref><ref name=cronJobServices>[http://www.cronjobservices.com Webcron services]</ref> These services accept a URL and a frequency schedule to retrieve, or ping, the specified URL. Most{{which|date=December 2010}} providers have restrictions built into their system to avoid overloading their servers and to encourage users to sign up for premium accounts.<ref name=easycronPlans>[https://www.easycron.com/user/register EasyCron plans]</ref>

Users who set up premium accounts on third-party webcron scheduling providers typically{{Peacock term|date=December 2010}} gain additional benefits such as [[SMS]] and [[email]] notifications, uptime reports and logging, increased timeout limits, schedules won't expire, being able to use [[HTTP POST]] method, [[HTTP cookie]] support, or fewer restrictions on scheduling frequency.<ref>[http://www.setcronjob.com/html/prices SetCronJob premium pricing page], retrieved October 14, 2010</ref><!--- This is just an example I randomly chose. There are a good 30 or so third-party scheduling providers that offer different benefits with premium accounts. --><ref name="easycronPlans"/>{{psc|date=December 2010}}{{or?|date=December 2010}}

Some webcron service providers accept [[CRON expression]] in web interface to schedule the job executing time.<ref name=webcronCronExp>[https://www.easycron.com/faq/What-cron-expression-does-easycron-support EasyCron accepts cron expression]</ref><ref name=setcron2>[https://www.setcron.com/help#crontab-features What are the crontab features of SetCron?]</ref>