Hands-On: Automate Tasks with Cron and Python Scripts with Python
Hands-On: Automate Tasks with Cron and Python Scripts with Python. Get practical lessons and hands-on examples at AIComputerClasses in Indore to master programming & IT development skills quickly. This article from AIComputerClasses Indore breaks down hands-on: automate tasks with cron and python scripts with python into actionable steps. Ideal for beginners and working professionals seeking fast skill gains. Includes references to tools like ChatGPT, Power BI, Excel, Figma, or Python where appropriate.
⚙️ Hands-On: Automate Tasks with Cron and Python Scripts with PythonAutomation is one of the most powerful skills for developers and IT professionals in 2025. Whether you’re managing files, sending daily reports, or running server maintenance, Python scripts combined with Cron jobs can help you automate repetitive tasks efficiently.
In this guide from AI Computer Classes, Indore, you’ll learn how to schedule Python scripts with Cron, understand key syntax, and see real-world examples that make life easier for developers. 🚀
Cron is a built-in job scheduler in Unix/Linux systems used to execute tasks automatically at specified intervals.
It’s commonly used for:
- Automating system backups
- Sending daily emails or reports
- Running data collection or scraping scripts
- Scheduling machine learning model updates
Cron works by reading a crontab (cron table) file — a configuration that lists commands to run at scheduled times.
Python is known for simplicity and versatility. When combined with Cron, it becomes a powerful automation tool for developers, analysts, and system administrators.
Benefits of Python + Cron Automation:- ✅ Handles repetitive processes automatically
- ✅ Saves time and improves productivity
- ✅ Integrates easily with databases and APIs
- ✅ Requires minimal setup
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⚙️ Step 1: Create a Python ScriptLet’s say you want to automatically log system performance data daily.
Create a file called system_log.py:
import datetime
import psutil
now = datetime.datetime.now()
cpu_usage = psutil.cpu_percent(interval=1)
ram_usage = psutil.virtual_memory().percent
with open("/home/user/system_log.txt", "a") as file:
file.write(f"{now} | CPU: {cpu_usage}% | RAM: {ram_usage}%\n")
💬 This script logs CPU and RAM usage every time it runs.
Open the terminal and run:
chmod +x /home/user/system_log.py
This gives execution permission to your script.
To open your crontab file, type:
crontab -e
Now, add this line:
0 9 * * * /usr/bin/python3 /home/user/system_log.py
This command means:
- Run the script every day at 9 AM.
- 0 9 * * * is the cron time format.
FieldDescriptionExampleMinute0–590Hour0–239Day of Month1–31*Month1–12*Day of Week0–6 (Sun=0)*
Example:
30 14 * * 1 → Runs every Monday at 2:30 PM.
💡 Real-Life Examples of Automation🧾 1. Sending Daily Reports via EmailUse libraries like smtplib to send reports automatically.
import smtplib
from email.message import EmailMessage
msg = EmailMessage()
msg['Subject'] = 'Daily Report'
msg['From'] = 'you@example.com'
msg['To'] = 'manager@example.com'
msg.set_content('Report generated successfully!')
with smtplib.SMTP('smtp.gmail.com', 587) as server:
server.starttls()
server.login('you@example.com', 'your_password')
server.send_message(msg)
Schedule it in Cron to send every morning.
Export data to CSV daily for Power BI dashboards:
import pandas as pd
import sqlite3
con = sqlite3.connect('sales.db')
df = pd.read_sql_query("SELECT * FROM daily_sales", con)
df.to_csv('/home/user/sales_report.csv', index=False)
Run it every night with Cron — and your Power BI reports stay updated!
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🧠 Debugging Cron JobsSometimes, Cron jobs don’t run as expected. Here’s how to fix that:
- ✅ Use absolute file paths in your scripts.
- ✅ Log errors to a file for debugging:
0 9 * * * /usr/bin/python3 /home/user/system_log.py >> /home/user/cron_log.txt 2>&1
- ✅ Check the system’s cron service is active:
systemctl status cron
- ✅ Ensure correct permissions and environment variables.
When automating with Cron and Python:
- Use virtual environments to isolate dependencies.
- Avoid storing passwords in plain text.
- Test scripts manually before scheduling.
- Regularly monitor logs for errors.
Automate APIs for real-time updates:
Example — Fetching crypto prices daily:
import requests, json
data = requests.get('https://api.coindesk.com/v1/bpi/currentprice.json').json()
print("Bitcoin Price:", data['bpi']['USD']['rate'])
Cron can execute this script every hour to track Bitcoin price changes automatically!
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At AI Computer Classes, learn how to combine Python, APIs, and Cron for full-scale automation workflows.
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🧭 ConclusionAutomating tasks using Cron and Python is a must-have skill for developers in 2025. From system monitoring to data analysis and business reporting — automation saves time, increases efficiency, and boosts productivity.
At AI Computer Classes, Indore, we make learning easy and practical with real examples and guided exercises.
If you’re ready to level up your career — start automating your world today! ⚙️
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