Cron job using asp.net

Question

Is it possible to have cron job in asp.net application. Here is what I want to implement:

"If there are 50 new users then send me newsletters according to their needs"

I have done this by creating a console application running on server but I am looking if there is a way like cron jobs?

Thanks

Answer 1

The equivalent of cron-jobs in windows is either task scheduler, or a windows service.

In my opinion, you can go with a windows service that polls the db, and sends the newsletter.

If you already built the console app, extract the relevant code in a BusinessLogic Class, and create a new Windows Service project. See http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsdesktop/CSWindowsService-9f2f568e I'm guessing you already have a working SMTP server to which you can connect from the server,right?

see also answers to this StackOverflow question

Answer 2

Take a look at Quartz.net, it can easily handle cron triggers

http://www.quartz-scheduler.net/

http://quartznet.sourceforge.net/tutorial/index.html <-- Very useful for gettng started

Answer 3

You could run the windows task scheduler that would take a command similar to a cron job.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa383614%28v=vs.85%29.aspx