crontab not executing a python script

Question

I have a python script called backupapp.py

import subprocess, time
from datetime import date

app_name = 'xxxxx'

capture_backup = subprocess.check_output(['heroku','pg:backups:capture','--app',app_name]) # Make a new backup 

time.sleep(5)

info_backup = subprocess.check_output(['heroku','pg:backups:info','--app',app_name])

name_backup = info_backup[11:15] # Extract the name of the backup database

today = date.today().strftime("%m_%d_%Y")
filename = name_backup + '_' + today + '.dump'

url = subprocess.check_output(['heroku','pg:backups:url', name_backup,'--app',app_name])

url = url[:-1] # Remove \n from the string

print "Beginning Download....."

download_backup = subprocess.check_output(['curl', '-o', filename, url])

This script works when I run it in the terminal python backupapp.py

However, I want to run this everyday at noon.

So I used crontab -e and added this:

0 12 * * * cd /Users/myuser/Desktop/Work/appbackup && python backupapp.py

But this isn't running. I checked for some answers online to see the logs, but the logs do not exist.

You mean instead of using cd, just directly python /Users/myuser/Desktop/Work/appbackup/backupapp.py? — vikiboy
– vikiboy, Commented Nov 20, 2019 at 13:30
No, I mean /path/to/python /Users/myuser/Desktop/Work/appbackup/backupapp.py or cd /Users/myuser/Desktop/Work/appbackup && /path/to/python backupapp.py — Romeo Ninov
– Romeo Ninov, Commented Nov 20, 2019 at 13:32
If I may make a suggestion (I'm assuming linux) I've pretty much entirely switched from cron to systemd timer files. Slightly more work to set up, much easier to manage and troubleshoot. YMMV. — Jared Smith
– Jared Smith, Commented Nov 20, 2019 at 13:33

Keith Medlin · Accepted Answer · 2019-11-20 13:31:54Z

1

0 12 * * * root cd /Users/myuser/Desktop/Work/appbackup && ./backupapp.py

Make sure your python file has a valid shebang at the top with the appropriate path to your python binary like

#!/usr/local/bin/python3

answered Nov 20, 2019 at 13:31

Keith Medlin

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8 Comments

Romeo Ninov Over a year ago

This will work only on specific case! And why do you root, in path you will see the username.

Keith Medlin Over a year ago

The username in the path is just that, the path to the script that is attempting to be run. root here is instructing crontab what user will execute the script. I added root here, but it could be something else I suppose. Critically important, however, will be that the OP has their shebang in order.

Romeo Ninov Over a year ago

This (again) will work in specific case. And may not work in MacOS. And in MacOS this is the username (myuser in this case)

Keith Medlin Over a year ago

I see what you're saying. That's correct, the /Users/... does look more like MacOS than other OS's...excellent catch!

vikiboy Over a year ago

Thanks! Should I change root to myuser in this case? I am assuming that I also have to make the .py file executable with chmod +x? A heads up, if I run this in the terminal -- cd /Users/myuser/Desktop/Work/appbackup && ./backupapp.py, it works.

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