Linux

10.7    Starting Processes Automatically (systemd Timer)

Almost all distributions use systemd as an init system—that is, to automatically start and stop processes when the computer boots or is shut down. A detailed introduction of systemd in this function follows in Chapter 20, Section 20.1. However, systemd can also take care of the regular execution of processes, similar to Cron. This aspect of systemd is the focus here.

Most distributions make very sparing use of the systemd timer functions. In this respect, systemd should not yet be seen as a replacement for Cron, but rather as a supplement. The systemd timer does, however, have the potential to replace Cron in the longer term. A pioneer in this respect is, as usual, Fedora, which has already ...