# Defining a Job

A Job represents both the object to be serialized to a [Connection](/2.1.0/configuration/config-file.md#connection) to eventually work as well as the code to execute when working a Job.

## Extending from AbstractJob

The first step to define a Job is to extend from `AbstractJob`.  This provides the necessary helper methods to run a Job through the cbq pipeline.

```cfscript
component
    name="SendWelcomeEmailJob"
    extends="cbq.models.Jobs.AbstractJob"
{

}
```

## Properties

Defining properties on your job allow you to see at a glance what data your Job expects when constructing it.  These properties and their values will be serialized to a [Connection](/2.1.0/configuration/config-file.md#connection) when dispatching a Job.

{% hint style="info" %}
Defining the properties is not strictly necessary, but your future self will thank you when you try to remember what properties your job is using.
{% endhint %}

```cfscript
component
    name="SendWelcomeEmailJob"
    extends="cbq.models.Jobs.AbstractJob"
{

    property name="email";
    property name="greeting";

}
```

## The handle method

The `handle` method is called when a Job is worked.  Before being called, a Job will be reconstructed with the serialized data from the Connection.  This method is the only required method when defining a Job.

```cfscript
component
    name="SendWelcomeEmailJob"
    extends="cbq.models.Jobs.AbstractJob"
{

    property name="mailService" inject="provider:MailService@cbmailservices";
    
    property name="email";
    property name="greeting";
    
    function handle() {
        variables.mailService.newMail( 
            to = variables.email,
	    from = "noreply@example.com",
	    subject = "Welcome!",
            type = "html",
	    bodyTokens = { 
		"greeting": variables.greeting
		"link": getInstance( "coldbox:requestContext" )
		    .buildLink( "home" )
	    }
        )
        .setView( "_emails/welcome" )
        .send();
    }

}
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Prefer using `provider:` injections or inline `getInstance` calls for logic in your `handle` method.  The `Job` component is created both when dispatching and when working your job, so utilizing these tools will reduce unnecessary processing time when dispatching your job.
{% endhint %}

## Job Execution Properties

A job can define several execution properties on the job itself.  If defined, these values override the module, connection, or worker defaults.  It can still be overridden using the job methods when creating a job.

<pre class="language-cfscript"><code class="lang-cfscript"><strong>component extends="cbq.models.Jobs.AbstractJob" {
</strong>
    // Name of the connection to dispatch this job on.
    variables.connection = "db";
    
    // Name of the queue to use for this job.
    variables.queue = "priority";
    
    // Time, in seconds, between job attempts, including the initial attempt.
    variables.backoff = 15;
    
    // Time, in seconds, to let a job run before failing it.
    variables.timeout = 30;
    
    // Max number of attempts before marking a job as failed.
    // Use 0 for unlimited retries.
    variables.maxAttempts = 9;

}
</code></pre>

## Lifecycle Methods

A Job can define a `before` or `after` method that will be called as part of the Job lifecycle.

<pre class="language-cfscript"><code class="lang-cfscript"><strong>component
</strong>    name="SendWelcomeEmailJob"
    extends="cbq.models.Jobs.AbstractJob"
{

    property name="mailService" inject="provider:MailService@cbmailservices";
    
    property name="email";
    property name="greeting";
    
    function handle() {
        variables.mailService.newMail( 
            to = variables.email,
	    from = "noreply@example.com",
	    subject = "Welcome!",
            type = "html",
	    bodyTokens = { 
		"greeting": variables.greeting
		"link": getInstance( "coldbox:requestContext" )
		    .buildLink( "home" )
	    }
        )
        .setView( "_emails/welcome" )
        .send();
    }
    
    function before() {
        log.debug( "About to execute SendWelcomeEmailJob" );
    }
    
    function after() {
        log.debug( "Finished executing SendWelcomeEmailJob" );
    }

}
</code></pre>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://cbq.ortusbooks.com/2.1.0/jobs/defining-a-job.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.