Spring Cron-Based Job with REST Endpoint​

Spring Cron-Based Job with REST Endpoint​

Spring Cron-Based Job with REST Endpoint

What is Spring Cron-Based Job with REST Endpoint ?

A Spring cron-based job with a REST endpoint is like setting an alarm clock for your code. It means that your app will automatically perform a task at a scheduled time, and with REST, you can even trigger that task manually via an API.

Feature Description
Spring Boot A Java framework to build backend apps
Cron Expression Timing rule to run tasks (like “every day at 10 AM”)
REST Endpoint A URL that lets others trigger the job manually
Spring Cron-Based Job with REST Endpoint​

A Spring cron job is like setting an alarm clock in your Java code. It tells your program to automatically do something at a specific time, without you having to click anything.

Example:
You want your app to send a daily report email every morning at 9 AM.

Instead of doing it manually, you write a Spring cron job that automatically runs this task every day at 9 AM.

How it works:
In Spring Boot (a Java framework), you write a method and add a special tag like this:

@Scheduled(cron = “0 0 9 * * ?”) // Run every day at 9 AM
public void sendDailyReport() {
// logic to send report
}
So now, every day at 9 AM, your method runs — like a well-trained assistant that never forgets!

Why it’s useful:
No need to open the app or press a button

Great for automating daily tasks

Used in real-world apps like banking, healthcare, farming, and e-commerce

Works even if you’re not watching (like a background helper)

Bonus – Spring Cron-Based Job with REST Endpoint :
You can even add a REST endpoint so that you (or someone else) can also trigger that job manually using a URL — like hitting a button on a remote control.
Future of Spring Cron Jobs in Tech
Trend Prediction
Automation 80% tasks will be scheduled or triggered
REST Growth More devices will use APIs to interact
Java Microservices Cron jobs play a vital role in distributed systems
Cloud Deployments Cron + REST APIs are core in CI/CD pipelines
 
Why Students & Tech Should Learn It

In today’s software world, automated background tasks are everywhere: sending emails, data backups, reports, server pings, etc. Knowing how to build them gives you a real edge.

Why It Matters Real-Life Use
In-demand skill Used in every enterprise Java project
Automation Helps reduce manual work
Microservices Ideal for modern service architecture
Interview questions Often asked in Spring Boot interviews
Scope of Cron Jobs in Programming
Industry Use of Cron Jobs
Fintech Scheduled transactions & reporting
E-commerce Auto-inventory sync
Healthcare Data processing & alerts
Social Media Post scheduling & notifications
Government Auto-reports & compliance
REST Endpoint Explained

A REST Endpoint is just a web URL like /trigger-task that anyone (or any system) can call to run your cron job manually.

Term Meaning
REST Representational State Transfer
Endpoint URL to interact with the job
Method Usually POST or GET
Security Can be protected via tokens

Perfect! You can easily integrate your Spring cron-based job with a REST endpoint, so it can be triggered:

  1. Automatically via Cron, and

  2. Manually via HTTP GET request.


✅ Updated Structure Overview
Component Purpose
MyTestService Business logic
MyCronScheduler Cron job that calls the service
TriggerController REST controller to trigger manually

✅ 1. MyTestService.java (Same as before)
java

import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;

@Service
public class MyTestService {
public void executeTask() {
System.out.println(“✅ Service method called at: “ + java.time.LocalTime.now());
// Your business logic here
}
}


✅ 2. MyCronScheduler.java (Cron Job Trigger)
java

import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
import org.springframework.scheduling.annotation.Scheduled;
import org.springframework.stereotype.Component;

@Component
public class MyCronScheduler {

@Autowired
private MyTestService myTestService;

// Automatically runs every 30 seconds
@Scheduled(cron = “*/30 * * * * *”)
public void runTask() {
System.out.println(“🕒 Cron Job Triggered”);
myTestService.executeTask();
}
}


✅ 3. TriggerController.java (Manual REST Trigger)
java
 

import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;
import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.*;

@RestController
@RequestMapping(“/api”)
public class TriggerController {

@Autowired
private MyTestService myTestService;

@GetMapping(“/trigger-task”)
public String triggerManually() {
System.out.println(“📡 Manual Trigger via REST”);
myTestService.executeTask();
return “Task executed manually at: “ + java.time.LocalTime.now();
}
}


✅ 4. CronTestApplication.java
java
 

import org.springframework.boot.SpringApplication;
import org.springframework.boot.autoconfigure.SpringBootApplication;
import org.springframework.scheduling.annotation.EnableScheduling;

@SpringBootApplication
@EnableScheduling
public class CronTestApplication {
public static void main(String[] args) {
SpringApplication.run(CronTestApplication.class, args);
}
}


✅ 5. Run and Test
✅ Manual Trigger
  • Run your Spring Boot app.

  • Open browser or Postman:

bash
 
GET http://localhost:8080/api/trigger-task
 

Console log:

sql
 
📡 Manual Trigger via REST
✅ Service method called at: 13:23:45
✅ Auto Cron Trigger

Every 30 seconds, you’ll also see:

sql
 
🕒 Cron Job Triggered
✅ Service method called at: 13:24:00

💡 Optional Enhancements
  • Add POST request with payload.

  • Add authentication.

  • Log to a file instead of console.

  • Return detailed response from service (status, logs, etc.).

Would you like me to include these enhancements or show how to test it via Postman/cURL?

 
Internal Link Spring Cron-Based Job with REST Endpoint

👉 Learn more on techshitanshu.com


🌍 External Link (Trusted Tech Source)

👉 Spring Scheduler Guide – Baeldung


💬 FAQs
Question Answer
What is the use of cron job in Spring? Automates background tasks
Can we use REST to trigger cron job? Yes, using a controller
Is it used in real projects? Yes, from fintech to farming tech
What if I miss the cron time? Use the REST endpoint to run it manually
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