Running a Python Script using Cron?

Question

I have a python script that I'd like to add to cron.

The script has +x permission on it.

How shall I add it to crontab? (say, I want it to run every minute).

Important: when I navigate (using the shell) to the script's folder, I cannot run it using "./script_name.py"; it doesn't work. Yet, when I run it using "Python script_name.py", everything works.

Answer 1

From cron you should be running the script as script_name.py and your script meets the following criteria:

• Executable bit is set
• The script's hash-bang is set correctly eg. #!/usr/bin/env python
• it is accessible from the PATH
  • e.g. place it in /usr/local/bin/ or /opt/local/bin/ (and they are accessible to your system PATH.)

If these conditions are met, you should be able to run it from anywhere on your local system as script_name.py

• user3262424: Thank you. What if the script resides in a different area (not in '/usr/local/bin/' or '/opt/local/bin/')? is there anything I can do to have it run?
• ocodo: Of course, but you still have to add it's folder location to your PATH, the reason I suggest those locations, is because that's where your optional/user local system bins/scripts should live (historically). But there's no reason you can't use another folder, Also you can call the script using an absolute pathname /myfolder/sub/bin/etc/wherever/script_name.py in your crontab. It's just not the conventional way of doing it, and therefore creates confusion if this system needs to be administered by someone else (or you in the future)
• user3262424: Thank you for your help. I tried to do this, and the script seems to work via cron, but for some reason, stops after few seconds. more information here: stackoverflow.com/questions/4487145/… do you happen to know what I am missing?
• ocodo: I had a look at the other question, the comments there are the things I would've suggested myself. In particular try using logging to catch what's happening.
• user3262424: I restarted the computer and everything works fine now. Thank you for your help!