[Tutor] Collecting output from Python scripts executed via Cron

[Cameron Simpson]

On 19May2017 11:48, Leo Silver <leo.silver at soholinux.com.au> wrote:
>I have written a several Python scripts to collect data from external
>sources (an email account and an sftp site).
>
>In development I run the scripts from IDLE or the command line and can view
>the output of various print statements in the scripts which helps me to
>monitor progress and confirm correct operation.
>
>However, in production I will be running the scripts via Cron.
>
>Is there a recommended/ elegant way to collect this output on the fly for
>later review/ processing.
>
>Previously I have written bash scripts simply redirecting the standard
>output to a text file and emailed this back to myself but I would like to
>do this directly within Python rather than having to wrap the Python script
>in a bash script.

You know that cron jobs _are_ shell commands?

Is there anything wrong with either:

  ..... your-program.py | mail -s subject-line you at example.com

Or, if you're using Vixie cron (very very common), set MAILTO in your crontab 
and let cron do the work:

  MAILTO=you at example.com
  ....... your-program.py

Obviously "......." is your cron schedule values.

Cheers,
Cameron Simpson <cs at zip.com.au>