How do I run my c# program as a scheduled task - c#

I am still pretty much new to c# so you will have to bear with me.
I have developed a windows form program which updates some SQL records as an end of day process for one of our clients.
The next step is that I need to install the program on a server and simulate a button click in the program to become a scheduled task.
I know how to setup the task on the server side where you start program and enter the arguments. But I am unsure as to what code I need to include in my program to achieve this.

Consider using Windows Task Scheduler.
You could extract your business logic to a separate DLL and write a simple Console app that will just run your task after accepting the parameters through command line.

My recommendation would be to get away from running a GUI-based/windowed application from a scheduled task - this is generally madness in practice. Ideally, deploy a console-based version of your application that requires execution (perhaps with parameter arguments) and doesn't require any user (or quasi-user-) interaction.
If you simply can't create a 'system version' of your application, then I guess you have two choices, both immensely ugly: 1) create some kind of macro script which is executed instead of your program, this script could execute the program and issue 'the click', 2) perform 'the click' on startup of your application by invoking the button click handler (maybe based on a parameter to give it a duality in execution modes.)

I think you are also asking about command-line argument passing. See the answers to this question.
In particular, I highly recommend the accepted answer: NDesk.Options.

I have similar task to do making winforms as windows task. what i did is
in windows task scheduler in the task tab,under Run put your exe and then /Auto,it will run as schedule.
Example:winform.exe /Auto

If I'm understanding your question correctly, this is how you could possibly proceed:
Best way to parse command line arguments in C#? -> check the answers and choose a library to process the args or write your own code to do so.
Create a scheduled task if those arguments are present by Creating Scheduled Tasks

If it is a windows application, just go to the bin folder, get the executable file, and finally schedule a task for it by using windows schedule task and choose the exe file as you targeted application.
if it is web application, you may want to include your code in a quartz.net scheduled job, details are on quartz.net website.

Very popular solution is Quartz.NET http://quartznet.sourceforge.net/

Take a look in the Timer class
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.timers.timer(v=vs.110).aspx

Why not extract your database update logic as a windows service
you can segregate the sql handling part in a separate DLL and use the common DLL for both your form application and the windows service.
A window service run in background and can be automatically started when the computer boots, can be paused and restarted, and do not show any user interface.
Moreover you need not to install any third party software for same and window service code base can be ported to any windows machine with required version of .Net Framework installed.

Add reference: Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler
then write this code:
using (TaskService ts = new TaskService())
Microsoft.Win32.TaskScheduler.Task task = ts.GetTask(TaskName);
task.Run(); //start
task.Stop(); //End

Related

how to set a program to run automatically once a day in c#

I am a newbie to programming So I need lot of support from my friends I am creating a windows forms application and I need that program to run automatically once a day and need to close itself after 2 minutes of the execution how to do it....
I need that program to run automatically once a day
You can use Windows Task Scheduler.
need to close itself after 2 minutes of the execution
You can implement in your application using many different approaches.
For instance, since you write WinForms applications, you can use Timer.
I would like to take the below approach.
Write console application. and add appropriate log message so that you can understand how it goes. if the application need any parameter then pass it from command line or put in a file so that the app can read the file and run automatically.
Add the app to Windows schedule task and monitor log regularly.
if the input parameter changes everyday then just update the input file when necessary.
Hope it will give you a idea.
Thanks.
Ruhul

building a desktop application to run periodically

I built a C# desktop application that will run on some time trigger.
I want to consult with you what should be my 'driver' project?
A winService? How should I set the trigger?
The accepted answer here is a little confusing. The simplest way to achieve what you want is to use the built in Windows Task Scheduler to launch your application at a specified time each day. There is no need to write a Windows Service. In fact, it doesn't even make sense to talk about running a service under the task scheduler, as by definition a service runs continuously.
However, a service could be another way of achieving what you need. The service could define a timer which fires once a day and performs any tasks required. Be aware that a service cannot have a UI - it just runs in the background. It can also be a little more challenging to write than a desktop application.
More about services here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/d56de412(v=vs.90).aspx
You can create a windows service and then set it to run using the Task Scheduler. This would enable you to run your application at a certain time everyday, depending on how you have set it up. Although the downside of this is that a windows service cannot have a UI. But if you just want the Task Scheduler to run your actual desktop application then just do that.

How to execute command in Windows Service?

I want to execute "start [Filename].txt" at fixed interval.
So I decide to create windows service.
But I am not getting idea to execute this command through windows service.
Other logic i have implemented. Just remaining is execute command.
I think you can simply use:
Process.Start("filename.txt");
If you need to start that file and wait for it to close or some other particular action, take a look at Process Class.
Process.Start("filename.txt") will work as #Marco answered
I'm wondering if you could get away with a Windows Scheduled Task instead of a service.
Is that all your service does?
Create a PowerShell script and have it executed on schedule by task scheduler...
Process.Start will not accomplish your likely goal if in a Windows Service. It may launch the process....into session 0, so you will never see it. To launch a process from a service that the user can interact with, you will need to create the process in the user session, a pretty non-trivial thing to do from inside a windows service (but certainly possible). You might be best to look at a Windows Scheduled Task as #jglouie suggested.

Windows Scheduler & C#

I have a script I wrote in C# (part of a ASP.NET application) that would reset a number if the end date of a booking is reached. I would like to automate the process, so each time an end date of booking is reached, it will send an email notifying that period is expired and also execute my script to reset the counter.
I heard that Windows Scheduler could be used? I know cron is perfect for this job, but unfortunately it is windows of course I am using. Any hints on what to do for automation of tasks above would be greatly appreciated.
Go to:
Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Task Scheduler
Create a new task and specify date, time, frequency, etc.
Your C# program can be invoked from the task you created on the step above.
Usually, I either write a small C# console application or use C# Script for this. If I would understand the "strange" (IMHO) syntax of Powershell, this would be the preferable way to do.
No matter what you use, you usually cannot use C# code that is included inside an ASP.NET application. Instead, extract the code into one of the possibilities above and use the Task Scheduler to create a task with the following options:
Depending on your requirements, the scheduled task should be created to run with an administrative user.
Depending on your requirements, the scheduled task should have the “Run with highest privileges” checkbox set.
You could schedule the task to e.g. run every n minutes/hours, even if no user is logged in.

Add and Edit scheduled tasks via C# winform application

I wrote a windows service that resides on a windows 2008 server. I also developed a separate C# winforms application that I'd like to use to configure a task for the service to schedule its run.
The winforms app is a form UI with basic scheduling inputs such as day of week, time of day, etc. I'd lke the user to choose inputs and save this as a task that will schedule the running of my win service.
Is there a way to add/edit a windows scheduled task via C# winform without using 3rd party add-ons?
Alternatively, you could write the service to always be running, and have it reference a database table on when it should run. The service would simply check when it is allowed to run.
Your WinForm application could simply update the database table. Quite simple really. Of course you could make it infinitely more complex, but, for what you are describing seems relatively simple.
I don't think there's a way using purely managed code, but if you add a reference to the TASK Scheduler COM Library, you should be able to do it. (References... Add Reference... Com Objects)

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