What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a cron job to trigger PHP scripts for processing large amounts of data?

Using a cron job to trigger PHP scripts for processing large amounts of data can be advantageous because it allows for automated and scheduled execution of tasks, which can help in managing and optimizing server resources. However, it may also lead to potential issues such as overlapping processes, increased server load during peak times, and potential security vulnerabilities if not properly configured.

// Example of a PHP script triggered by a cron job to process large amounts of data
// cron job setup: * * * * * /usr/bin/php /path/to/your/script.php

// Connect to database
$pdo = new PDO('mysql:host=localhost;dbname=your_database', 'username', 'password');

// Retrieve large amount of data from database
$stmt = $pdo->query('SELECT * FROM your_table');

// Process data
while ($row = $stmt->fetch()) {
    // Perform processing tasks
}

// Close database connection
$pdo = null;