Creating a script to schedule Ubuntu software upgrades

 Step-by-Step Implementation

1.     Create the Upgrade Script
2.         Open your terminal and create a new file named upgrade_script.sh using your preferred text editor (e.g., nano upgrade_script.sh).
3.         Insert the following bash script content:

#!/bin/bash

# --- Script to Schedule Ubuntu Software Upgrades ---
# This script updates, upgrades, and cleans your Ubuntu system.
# It then prompts the user for the frequency of scheduling this script using cron.

# Function to perform the upgrade process
perform_upgrade() {
    echo "Starting Ubuntu software upgrade..."
    # Update package lists
    sudo apt update -y
    # Upgrade packages (installs newer versions)
    sudo apt upgrade -y
    # Remove unnecessary packages
    sudo apt autoremove -y
    # Clean up downloaded package archives
    sudo apt clean -y
    echo "Ubuntu software upgrade completed."
}

# Ask the user for the scheduling frequency
echo "How often would you like to schedule the Ubuntu software upgrade? (daily, weekly, monthly)"
read schedule_frequency

# Validate user input and set cron schedule
case "$schedule_frequency" in
    "daily")
        cron_schedule="0 2 * * *" # Run daily at 2:00 AM
        ;;
    "weekly")
        cron_schedule="0 2 * * 0" # Run weekly on Sunday at 2:00 AM
        ;;
    "monthly")
        cron_schedule="0 2 1 * *" # Run monthly on the 1st at 2:00 AM
        ;;
    *)
        echo "Invalid frequency entered. Defaulting to weekly."
        cron_schedule="0 2 * * 0" # Default to weekly
        ;;
esac

# Create or modify the crontab entry
(crontab -l 2>/dev/null; echo "$cron_schedule /path/to/your/upgrade_script.sh") | crontab -

echo "Upgrade script scheduled to run $schedule_frequency."
 

1.  Make the Script Executable
      Save the file and make it executable by running the command: chmod +x upgrade_script.sh.
2. Run the Script
   
   1. Execute the script with root privileges: sudo ./upgrade_script.sh.
   2. The script will perform the initial upgrade, ask for your preferred scheduling frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly), and set up the cron job accordingly.