Can you set a JavaScript to execute periodically?

Question

Relatively new to SP, and can't seem to find anything definitive on whether a JavaScript function can be set to execute daily, or at some other period.

Currently have a utility function page with buttons that trigger process intensive updates for list items and would like to automate the process to occur every night.

Seems unlikely since it's CSOM, but maybe there's another route that can wrap around the scripts and execute them server side?

Maybe the script could be launched from a workflow which loops after a period of time?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If you REALLY want to you can use javascript setTimeout to run a function after a specified time has passed, but that'll require you to leave the page open in the browser all the time.

An option could be to have a scheduled task open IE with the page.

But I'll suggest you bite the bullet and rewrite your code into either a workflow or a windows service or if this is on-premises into a TimerJob as this is what these are for

Answer 2

Scheduled timer jobs on the server would be better alternatives, either an actual Sharepoint timer job or a scheduled task that executes Powershell. setTimeout and setInterval can schedule things to be run, but as Per mentions, the browser window needs to be open constantly.