wCron - Unix-Style Cron Service for Windows

wCron is a lightweight Windows service that provides Unix-style cron functionality for scheduling and executing tasks based on a cron-like configuration file. It supports time-based task scheduling, logging, and service management.

Features

• Cron Scheduling: Supports standard cron syntax for minute, hour, day, month, and weekday, with extensions like * (every), ? (startup time), ranges (0-23), steps (1-23/4), and lists (0,3-6/2,9).
• Configuration: Reads tasks from <basename>.tab (default) and additional files via @cronfile. Supports directives for logging (@log), command extensions (@cmdext), startup/shutdown scripts (@startupcmd, @shutdowncmd), and output directories (@loginfodir).
• Task Execution: Runs .exe files and scripts with mapped extensions (e.g., .cmd to cmd.exe /C). Redirects output to per-job log files.
• Service Management: Installs as a Windows service with automatic start, supporting stop, pause, continue, and shutdown. Executes startup/shutdown scripts if defined.
• Logging: Configurable log levels (0–9, default 3) to <basename>_log.txt. Job-specific logs in <basename>_<cmd>_<hash>.info.txt.
• Console Mode: Debug with -console or -testmode (simulates without executing). View parsed entries with -entries.
• Multiple crons: You can have multiple cron running as a separate user, just rename the executable.

Installation

1. Compile:

   • Requires a C++ compiler with Windows SDK (e.g., Visual Studio).
   • Compile dynarray.c, wCron_core.c, wCron_service.c, and main.c.

2. Setup:

   • Place the compiled wCron.exe in a directory (e.g., C:\wCron).
   • Create a <basename>.tab file in the same directory (default: wCron.tab).

3. Install Service: wCron.exe -install Installs and starts the service. The service name is derived from the executable name (e.g., wCron).

Usage

Command-Line Options

wCron.exe [-install] [-remove] [-start] [-stop] [-status] [-console] [-testmode] [-entries] [-version]

• -install: Install and start the service.
• -remove: Stop and uninstall the service.
• -start: Start the service.
• -stop: Stop the service.
• -status: Show service status.
• -console: Run in console mode for debugging.
• -testmode: Run in console mode without executing tasks.
• -entries: Display parsed cron entries.
• -version: Show version (4.05).

Cron File Format

The cron file (wCron.tab) defines tasks with the following syntax: Format: minute hour day month weekday command [parameters] command.exe param1 param2 0 12 * * 1-5 script.cmd

• Time Fields:
  • *: Every unit.
  • ?: Startup time.
  • 0-23: Range.
  • 1-23/4: Range with step.
  • 0,3-6/2,9: Multiple values.
• Directives:
  • @log=[0-9]: Set log level (0=none, 9=verbose, default 3).
  • @cronfile=<file>: Include additional cron file.
  • @cmdext=<ext>;<exe>[;<opts>]: Map extension to executable (e.g., cmdext=cmd;C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe;/C).
  • @shutdowncmd=<cmd>: Run on service shutdown.
  • @startupcmd=<cmd>: Run on service start (within 15 minutes of boot).
• Logging Flags (before command):
  • ~: Disable logging.
  • -: Minimal logging.
  • =: Normal logging.
  • +: Verbose logging.

Logging

• Main Log: <basename>_log.txt (e.g., wCron_log.txt) in the executable directory. Rotates daily for log level > 2.
• Job Logs: <basename>_<cmd>_<hash>.info.txt for command output, optionally in LOGinfodir.
• Log Levels:
  • 0: None.
  • 1: Minimal.
  • 2: Errors.
  • 3: Normal (default).
  • 9: Verbose.