Aww, come on, crontab -e isn't that bad! The most dangerous thing about it is accidentally running crontab -r instead of -e. Using crontab -e is no worse than using a wildcard with the rm command, i.e. 'rm a *' instead of 'rm a*'. One deletes all files that start with 'a', the other deletes a file named 'a' plus everything else in your directory. Like anything else, just be careful when you're using crontab and you shouldn't have any problems. If you can't do things carefully, you probably won't make it too long as a DBA anyway. Although, if you are a vi novice and using it to edit your crontab, then I would agree with Jared. A few wrong keystrokes in command mode and you can trash a file real quick....
Just my $.02, Alan P.S. I do recommend making a backup of your crontab occasionally though.... Jared Still <jkstill@cybco To: Multiple recipients of list ORACLE-L <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> n.com> cc: Sent by: Subject: Re: Unix - scheduling [EMAIL PROTECTED] om 07/02/02 09:03 AM Please respond to ORACLE-L Please don't use 'crontab -e', unless you are saving your crontab files and using some form of version control on them. 'crontabe -e' is inherently dangerous, as it is too easy to remove lines unintentionally, and then they are gone for good. Jared On Tuesday 02 July 2002 04:28, Nils Höglund wrote: > > anyone who has a good example on how to write in the crontab if you want > > to schedule a job to run every four week. Is it possible to do that in > > unix cron job schedule. > > Yes, it is very possible. > > Run 'crontab -e' as apropeate user. Your $EDITOR will open. > Write as described in crontab(5) manual ('man 5 crontab'): > > 0 */4 * * * your_command > > This will run your_command every four hours (first field which minutes, > second field in which hours) > > You can also edit the /etc/crontab-file (if avaible on your system.) This > file has a different syntax (you specify the user who is going to run the > command too.) -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: Jared Still INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- (858) 538-5051 FAX: (858) 538-5051 San Diego, California -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists -------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing). -- Please see the official ORACLE-L FAQ: http://www.orafaq.com -- Author: INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fat City Network Services -- (858) 538-5051 FAX: (858) 538-5051 San Diego, California -- Public Internet access / Mailing Lists -------------------------------------------------------------------- To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB ORACLE-L (or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).