17.0 Object triggers > How-to's > Using a trigger to execute a script
17.3 Using a trigger to execute a script
Context
Exec triggers launch a program or script when the event occurs. A few examples of what a script might do in response to an event include:
- Execute an external program
- Send a complex email to any desired recipient(s)
- Collect diagnostics
It is important to note that when a script runs via a trigger, Moab forks and performs a direct OS exec, meaning there will be no pre-processing of the command by the shell. In addition, the script runs in a new, reduced environment without the same settings and variables as the environment from which it stemmed. The script must be able to run in the reduced environment.
To use a trigger to execute a script
- Create or locate the script and note its location.
- Create a trigger on the desired object, setting the AType to exec and the Action to location of the script or program.
JOBCFG[temp1] TRIGGER=EType=start,AType=exec,Offset=03:00,Action="/tmp/monitor.pl"
Jobs with the temp1 template receive a trigger that executes monitor.pl three minutes after the job starts.