Anacron
Anacron is a utility that allows the user to execute commands periodically, even if the system is not running continuously. It is useful for running automated tasks on systems that get powered off.
scheduling
cron
automation
periodic-tasks
Anacron: Periodic Command Execution Utility
Execute commands at regular intervals, even when the system is not running continuously. Useful for automated tasks on power-cycled systems.
What is Anacron?
Anacron is a computer program that performs periodic command scheduling, even in the event of a system reboot. It is typically used to execute jobs that require running on a regular basis, but may not run if the system is powered off at the scheduled time.
Anacron works by checking the timestamp of the last execution of a job when the system boots up. If a scheduled job has missed one or more execution times because the machine was off, Anacron will run those jobs immediately at startup to catch up. This ensures the jobs get executed at the desired frequency even if the system is not on 24/7.
Some examples of tasks that Anacron is helpful for executing include:
- Log rotation - Rotating and compressing log files regularly
- Deleting old temporary files from disks
- Running disk checks, database maintenance jobs
- Submitting batched jobs for processing
- Generating reports
The key advantage of using Anacron over the standard cron utility is that it accounts for periods when the computer system is inactive. This helps administer servers, desktops and laptops that get powered off daily without missing important scheduled tasks.
Anacron Features
Features
- Allows periodic execution of commands
- Does not require the system to be running continuously
- Useful for running automated tasks on systems that get powered off
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Enables scheduling tasks on systems that are not always on
Can run jobs at specific intervals regardless of uptime
Helps automate tasks on intermittent systems
Cons
Requires some configuration and setup
Less flexible scheduling compared to cron
Not suitable for real-time job scheduling
Official Links
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