Cron is a Linux utility that runs commands or scripts at set times. A “cron expression” (e.g. 0 2 * * *) describes the schedule — in this case every day at 2 a.m.
Automation platforms use similar schedule-based triggers (e.g. n8n’s Schedule Trigger). This is how backups run, reports get sent, old files are cleaned up and stock is synced.
Example
Every morning at 9 a.m. yesterday’s sales report is emailed to the manager automatically.