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c#asp.netscheduled-tasks
Mike Webb
Mike Webb

Reputation: 9003

Is there a way to have code run on a time schedule in an ASP.NET web app?

I have an ASP.NET web app providing access to a database on the server. What I need is a way to run code in the background on a given schedule that auto-updates the server database from another source.

I know how to do this in a windows app by adding a timer, linking up a function to the timer tick event and starting the timer. I do not know how to do this in a web app.

Is there a start-up event for a web app or somewhere where I can start this background process regardless of whatever any users are doing on the site?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 3438

Answers (6)

Sam Axe
Sam Axe

Reputation: 33738

If you have access to the computer hosting your site I would write a little app that was run from the Task Scheduler.

The web server is not meant to handle long-running background tasks. It's the wrong tool.

If you dont have access to the hosting computer then I would suggest building some kind of interface whereby another computer rebuilt the database and uploaded it. I'm using the terms "interface" and "upload" in the loosest, broadest sense - apply your own definition.

Upvotes: 4

David
David

Reputation: 73564

As other answers have stated, doing this full function - updating a database and scheduling it as an ASP.NET app is using the wrong tool for the job.

ASP.NET can be used to update a database - that's perfectly valid. Where it breaks down is in the timer. ASP.NET apps aren't meant to be long-running, which is necessary for the timer to work.

If you can do it, I'd strongly suggest using the approach others have suggested - a Windows Service or a Scheduled Task.

However, if you have no access to the actual server, other than to post ASP.NET code - you can't install a service and you can't set up a Windows app to run on a scheduled basis, here's an out-of-the box idea.

Set up a web service or ASPX page that does the update, and then call that page from a scheduled task on a machine you DO control.

So if this was at http://www.someserver.net/updatedb.aspx, there's no reason you can't set a scheduled task on your own PC to call that URL.

I'd consider this a last-ditch solution to be used only if you can't do one of the other options.

Upvotes: 0

Steve Stokes
Steve Stokes

Reputation: 1230

You should not do this in an ASP.NET website - this is a major no-no. You are correct in thinking to use a timer on a background .exe. You should look into creating either a Windows Task (a console .exe executed by the server task timer), or a Windows Service. I would suggest the Windows Service as that is standard practice.

Upvotes: 6

Aghilas Yakoub
Aghilas Yakoub

Reputation: 28970

you can use Windows Service or use Timer Control (In the Ajax Category)

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Or

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Upvotes: 0

walther
walther

Reputation: 13600

I was searching for a solution myself couple of months ago, and even though I haven't found enough time to try it so far, I guess I can share the link with you. Maybe you'll find it helpful.

If yes, please, let me know here.

http://quartznet.sourceforge.net/

How to use Quartz.net with ASP.NET

Upvotes: 1

aquinas
aquinas

Reputation: 23786

The global.asax.cs file has a method that is fired when your application starts: Application_Start. You can hook up your timer method in that event. Just beware, depending on how IIS configured, your app pool may shutdown. For example, if no one hits the site in 20 minutes for example. Just make sure if you HAVE to have this run every X minutes that you have IIS configured to ALWAYS be running and start your app. This is harder than it sounds. In the end, you may want to go with a regular windows scheduled task.

Upvotes: -1

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