I haven't used cron before and I wanted to know how to schedule php scripts and other basic instructions and rather than just copy someone else's code I would like to learn for myself.
Have you looked through existing threads which reference cron? There have been several which go into fair detail. Also, there are the Unix man pages on cron, along with many websites which go through the basics.
I've had a look elsewhere and did have a quick look on here but didn't see any topics on cron. I'll do another search.
What I wanted more than anything else was not a specific command or snippet of code but more a general understanding which is why I was interested in a recommendation for a good tutorial or book.