While this question is particular to Azure, I'm sure that it is a common situation for cloud computing in general.
I have a list of tasks that I need run at a certain time. With a window's server, I can use Task Scheduler and schedule my program to run at a certain time. I could go a step further and create a windows service that would run at a given interval and then execute the appropriate task.
Does anyone have a suggestion on the best approach is for a cloud computing environment?
I could create a worker role that polls the task list every second and then throws the appropriate task into a queue that is processed by another worker role.
I could create a worker role that would run once a day, grab all the tasks and submit them to a queue. The processor roles would then pull an item off the queue and process at the appropriate time.
Any other suggestions?
I realize this is old, but it's still a common question. I'm using Windows Task Scheduler on one of my Azure VMs. It's simple to implement and saves you from having to reinvent the wheel.
http://www.voiceoftech.com/swhitley/index.php/2011/07/windows-azure-task-scheduler/