Task scheduler

Task scheduler - a tool that allows you to plan processing of some projects on certain time.

To use scheduler you must first to install the controller correct.

To do this:

• Open the folder ZEBROID\resources\, there should be a file ZebroidSchedulerController.exe

• Create a shortcut

• Move the shortcut to the Startup folder Windows (Start -> All Programs -> Startup). Step by step guide in the form of screenshots:

• Create Shortcut

• Copy Shortcut

• Open the Startup folder

• Insert a label

• Start ZebroidSchedulerController.exe. In the tray near the clock should appear small icon

Now, open the scheduler in Zebroid, if at the opening it is written that controller is not installed or not running - it means you did something wrong.

Task scheduler settings

Configure the scheduler is quite easy. All you have to do is create a new plan to specify for which event it shall be operated and choose tasks and projects.

Regarding the last, then you need to click on "Select tasks and projects", then opens "Processing of multiple projects" window. On the left side of this window, select the projects that you want to process in this plan and on the right side – there is task for processing. If the desired task has not yet created - create it.

It is important to remember that the schedule plan consolidates the active task, it is highlighted in a tree of tasks with bold. Once you have made your choice - click OK. The window closes and the fields that describe the projects and the task will be filled. Check everything carefully and save the plan. If you want it to be processed now- activate it and save it again (the icon in front of the plan will be colored in the list).

Cron format - this is a very flexible format to make a schedule. It allows you to create complex and cyclical rules for application startup, including such as run every n minutes. About the features of the format and configuration examples you can read on this Wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cron

Preparation

In order to understand what needs to be done before you run scheduler, I will describe how it works: The controller continuously checks if there are running tasks or if this appropriate time to start processing them.

If there is a task - it starts to run it. To do this, first of all, it checks whether the Zebroid is running or not. If Zebroid not running - the controller executes it and immediately starts to perform the desired task. If Zebroid running - it passes the command to perform current task.

Receiving this command Zebroid checks whether it is busy or not at this time (maybe user works with program), and without interrupting the work displays a window that asks the user to close all the windows and the current project. Once the user do it all - he clicks on the OK button and the program begins to implement the plan.

In the case when Zebroid is just started, but there is no project running at the moment - then Zebroid displays the same sign, but this time with a countdown timer 60 sec. If during those 60 seconds there is no changes - Zebroid consider that it can take control and run the desired task.

Total summarizing can distinguish the following two points:

1. Before triggering the schedule, it is best Zebroid was not running (especially if you leave your computer for whole night and no one approached it at this time)

2. If you still want to keep Zebroid running then close all projects, otherwise the user intervention will be needed