[Free] Run Bots Automatically On Schedule

[Bot-Factory 602]

Hi.

 

I was looking for an easy method to run my bots with different configurations and on schedule.

Previously my bot was running 24x7. I had a loop in my bot and started the task every couple of hours. Between those runs the bot was still active but idling.

 

I had some stability and availability issues on my main server. So my idea was to start the bots only when they are needed. 

One of my requirements was, to be able to run the same bot with different configurations. 

 

So here's what I'm doing. 

 

I'm using the great (FREE) Commandline Plugin:

http://www.ubotstudio.com/forum/index.php?/topic/15663-free-plugin-command-line-arguments/

 

That allows me to start my bot via

bot.exe /auto parameter1 parameter2 ...

 

Now my bot can react depending on the parameters I sent to the bot. 

 

Here's a quick code example:

 

on load("Bot Loaded") {

    plugin command("Command Line Arguments.dll", "command line arguments list", %cparameters)
    if($comparison($list item(%cparameters,1),"=","/auto")) {
        then {
            set(#folder,$list item(%cparameters,2),"Global")
        }
        else {
            set(#folder,$special folder("Application"),"Global")
        }
    }
    create folder(#folder,"tmp")
}

 

And at the beginning of my bot I have something like:
RunWithCommandline()
stop script

This calls a special define where I control the behavior of the bot when it's launched via /auto. 
The important thing here is, that you don't have any alerts or something that is waiting for user input. Because then your bot will not finish and close.

 

Now I use a free Windows Tool to schedule my bots:

http://www.freebyte.com/fbtaskscheduler/

 

 

You could also use the Windows task scheduler to configure everything. 

The windows task schedule has the advantage, that you could logoff from the PC, and the task scheduler would still be able to run the bot (if configured correctly).

 

But the Freebyte software is a lot easier to setup and configure in my opinion.

 

You could setup it like this:

 

The /auto option will automatically launch your bot. Tested it with 5.5.12 and it's working fine.

Another alternative task manager (with more options) is:
http://www.splinterware.com/products/wincron.htm

 

 

Hope this helps someone.

 

Cheers

Dan

[RiTu 5]

Thanks Dan, great idea. I'm going to implement it right now.

[Bot-Factory 602]

Update:
Fixed a small error in my example code above.

[saifee 1]

Thanks Dan.

Seems a very good method to run bots on schedule.

 

But I have a problem.

My bot starts on the schedule time, but it is waiting for me to click on the RUN command. Although there are no options for user inputs or alert boxes, it still waits for me to click on the RUN button.

 

How can I make it run without clicking on the RUN button?

[Bot-Factory 602]

Thanks Dan.

Seems a very good method to run bots on schedule.

 

But I have a problem.

My bot starts on the schedule time, but it is waiting for me to click on the RUN command. Although there are no options for user inputs or alert boxes, it still waits for me to click on the RUN button.

 

How can I make it run without clicking on the RUN button?

 

You have to start the bot with parameter /auto

 

Dan

[gavind 6]

Excellent one here! Thanks for your efforts Dan!