linuxsyntaxcron

How to check cron syntax by script like "crontab -e" does?

Let's say I write cron files via script and modify them direct under /var/spool/cron/crontabs/. When using the command crontab -e crontab checks the syntax when I exit the editor. Is there any way to do the same check via script?

Solution

  • Crontab with -e option does open your default editor with the current cron file and installs it after exiting.

    First of all, save your actual cron file to be sure of not losing or breaking anything.

    crontab -l > backup.cron

    You can directly install a file that you have cooked:

    crontab yourFile.text

    Or use a pipe in a script:

    #/bin/bash
Variable="your scheduled tasks"
echo $Variable | crontab

    You will get the error messages in the case of bad formatting.

    More info: man crontab