Using cron and ruby

Question

OS: Mac OS X 10.10.3; Ruby version: 2.2.0;

I have a problem with using cron, that launches ruby script. Problem: cron launches ruby script, but nothing happened. That cron says in its logs (script requires mongo gem) :

/Users/username/.rvm/rubies/ruby-2.2.0/lib/ruby/2.2.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:54:in `require': cannot load such file -- mongo (LoadError)
from /Users/username/.rvm/rubies/ruby-2.2.0/lib/ruby/2.2.0/rubygems/core_ext/kernel_require.rb:54:in `require'
from /Users/username/project_path/main.rb:5:in `<main>'

Cron settings:

SHELL = /bin/bash
MAILTO = username
* * * * * /Users/username/.rvm/rubies/default/bin/ruby    /Users/username/project_path/main.rb

So ruby can't load gem, while the script was launched by cron, but when I launch it from the IDE or terminal, it works without problems

Answer 1

This is a common problem. Basically the environment in which your cron job is running is different from the environment in your IDE / terminal.

You need to investigate solutions along these lines . Understanding what's going on will involve learning more about cron, users, and other related topics.

Answer 2

Ok. After a couple of hours I finally solved this problem. And the solution is very easy. I don't know, why it's working only that way. So, the solution:

1.Create bash script with this content:

#!/usr/bin/env bash

/Users/username/.rvm/gems/ruby-2.2.0/wrappers/ruby    /path/to/your/ruby_script.rb

2. Configure cron file:

SHELL = /bin/bash
* * * * * /path/to/created/at/first/step/bash_script.sh

That's all! It's working for me!