cron
Job scheduler for Unix-like operating systems / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The cron
command-line utility is a job scheduler on Unix-like operating systems. Users who set up and maintain software environments use cron to schedule jobs[1] (commands or shell scripts), also known as cron jobs,[2][3] to run periodically at fixed times, dates, or intervals.[4] It typically automates system maintenance or administration—though its general-purpose nature makes it useful for things like downloading files from the Internet and downloading email at regular intervals.[5]
Developer(s) | AT&T Bell Laboratories |
---|---|
Initial release | May 1975; 49 years ago (1975-05) |
Written in | C |
Operating system | Unix and Unix-like, Plan 9, Inferno |
Type | Job scheduler |
Cron is most suitable for scheduling repetitive tasks. Scheduling one-time tasks can be accomplished using the associated at utility.
Cron's name originates from Chronos, the Greek word for time.[6][better source needed]