Cron Expression: Every Day at 4:15 PM (15 16 * * *)
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Cron Expression: Every Day at 4:15 PM (15 16 * * *)
The cron expression 15 16 * * * executes a task every day at 4:15 PM (16:15), making it ideal for late afternoon operations, pre-end-of-day tasks, and data processing before business day closure.
Expression Breakdown
15 16 * * *
│ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ └─── Day of week: * (every day)
│ │ │ └───── Month: * (every month)
│ │ └─────── Day of month: * (every day)
│ └────────── Hour: 16 (at hour 16, 4:00 PM)
└───────────── Minute: 15 (at minute 15)
Field Values
| Field | Value | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Minute | 15 | At minute 15 |
| Hour | 16 | At hour 16 (4:00 PM) |
| Day of Month | * | Every day (1-31) |
| Month | * | Every month (1-12) |
| Day of Week | * | Every day of week (0-7) |
Execution Time
This expression runs once per day at:
- 16:15 (4:15 PM)
Common Use Cases
1. Pre-End-of-Day Processing
15 16 * * * /usr/bin/python3 /scripts/pre-end-of-day-processing.py
Process data or prepare reports before end-of-day operations.
2. Afternoon Reports
15 16 * * * /usr/bin/python3 /scripts/generate-afternoon-report.py
Generate afternoon reports or status updates.
3. Data Synchronization
15 16 * * * /usr/bin/python3 /scripts/sync-afternoon-data.py
Sync data from external systems or APIs in the late afternoon.
4. Cache Refresh
15 16 * * * /usr/bin/python3 /scripts/refresh-afternoon-cache.py
Refresh cached data or computed values for evening operations.
Example Implementations
Pre-End-of-Day Processing Script
# pre-end-of-day-processing.py
from datetime import datetime
import sqlite3
def pre_end_of_day_processing():
conn = sqlite3.connect('/var/data/app.db')
cursor = conn.cursor()
# Prepare data for end-of-day reports
cursor.execute('''
INSERT INTO end_of_day_prep (date, prepared_at, status)
VALUES (DATE('now'), ?, 'prepared')
ON CONFLICT(date) DO UPDATE SET
prepared_at = ?,
status = 'prepared'
''', (datetime.now(), datetime.now()))
# Aggregate afternoon metrics
cursor.execute('''
UPDATE daily_metrics
SET afternoon_total = (
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM transactions
WHERE DATE(created_at) = DATE('now')
AND HOUR(created_at) >= 12 AND HOUR(created_at) < 16
),
updated_at = ?
WHERE date = DATE('now')
''', (datetime.now(),))
conn.commit()
conn.close()
print(f"{datetime.now()}: Pre-end-of-day processing completed")
if __name__ == '__main__':
pre_end_of_day_processing()
Best Practices
- Timing: 4:15 PM allows time before typical 5-6 PM business day end
- Error Handling: Implement comprehensive error handling and logging
- Locking: Use file locks to prevent concurrent execution
- Monitoring: Set up alerts for failed jobs
- Coordination: Ensure tasks complete before end-of-day operations
When to Use
✅ Good for:
- Pre-end-of-day processing
- Afternoon reports
- Data synchronization
- Cache refresh
- Late afternoon maintenance
❌ Avoid for:
- Real-time critical operations
- Very long-running processes
Related Patterns
| Pattern | Expression | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Daily at noon | 0 12 * * * | Midday |
| Daily at 4:15 PM | 15 16 * * * | Late afternoon |
| Daily at 6 PM | 0 18 * * * | End of business day |
Conclusion
The 15 16 * * * expression is perfect for late afternoon operations. It's commonly used for pre-end-of-day processing, afternoon reports, and tasks that should complete before business day closure, providing a buffer before end-of-day operations begin.
Need to generate a cron expression?
Use CronOS to generate any cron expression you wish with natural language. Simply describe what you need, and we'll create the perfect cron expression for you. It's completely free!