Question

Can I use a Worker in the App Platform to update my Django Web App with content from external URLs?

I have a Django Web App set up on the DO App Platform. I want to update my Django App daily with content from external URLs. Unfortunately, cron jobs are not available, so I’m trying to use a Worker instead.

How can I do this?

The Worker must be able to fetch an image from an external URL, attempt to download it, and update it in my Django App if the download was successful.

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Elan Hasson
DigitalOcean Employee
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• December 1, 2022

Hi,

We recently launched Scheduled Functions (it’s in beta currently) which accomplishes what you’re looking to do. Scheduled Functions are not yet supported via App Platform Function components, so you would need to create a stand-alone Cloud Function which calls the API of your App Platform Service. Alternatively, you can do whatever work you need to do inside the function as long as it is within the runtime length limits of Functions (15 min max).

https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/functions/how-to/schedule-functions/

Hope this helps,

Elan

Greg M
DigitalOcean Employee
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• June 1, 2022

Hello,

Yes you can use a worker for this purpose. You would just need to run a time ticker loop to fetch the image from the external URL, and communicate that to the Django app (however that image is being served).

Best, Greg

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