Cron expressions define when a task runs (e.g. every day at 2 AM). Understanding the syntax helps you debug schedules and set up jobs correctly. We’re building a Cron Expression Translator to turn expressions into human-readable text.
Cron format
A typical cron expression has five fields: minute, hour, day of month, month, day of week (e.g. 0 2 * * * means 2:00 AM every day). Wildcards (*), ranges (1-5), and step values (/5) let you define complex schedules.
Why it matters for DevOps
Cron is used everywhere: backup jobs, log rotation, cleanup scripts, and CI/CD. Knowing how to read and write expressions avoids mis-scheduled jobs and makes troubleshooting easier. When our Cron Translator is live, you’ll be able to paste an expression and see the schedule in plain English.