On Sat, May 01, 2004 at 04:27:01PM -0700, Marc Wilson wrote: > On Sat, May 01, 2004 at 07:41:50PM +0100, Geoff Thurman wrote: > > Anacron is recommended if your computer is not left on more or less > > continuously. I'm not sure why it doesn't just supercede cron, or why > > it isn't pulled in with it or anything, [1] but I strongly advise you > > to install anacron. > > Because anacron is an *adjunct* to cron, it does not *replace* it. > Actually learning what anacron *is*, might be helpful. >
anacron is meant for computers that spend some part of the day (usually at night) off so they can have a tendency to usually miss the cron jobs. If it is installed to will run by cron and execute the cron jobs instead of cron so that to make sure that missed jobs are run. If its not installed the only entries are: crontab:11:25 6 * * * root test -e /usr/sbin/anacron || run-parts --report /etc/cron.daily crontab:12:47 6 * * 7 root test -e /usr/sbin/anacron || run-parts --report /etc/cron.weekly crontab:13:52 6 1 * * root test -e /usr/sbin/anacron || run-parts --report /etc/cron.monthly Which makes things run as they should. once you install it you get crontab looking like: cron.d/anacron:6:30 7 * * * root test -x /etc/init.d/anacron && /usr/sbin/invoke-rc.d anacron start >/dev/null cron.daily/0anacron:11:test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || exit 0 cron.daily/0anacron:12:anacron -u cron.daily cron.monthly/0anacron:11:test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || exit 0 cron.monthly/0anacron:12:anacron -u cron.monthly crontab:11:25 6 * * * root test -e /usr/sbin/anacron || run-parts --report /etc/cron.daily crontab:12:47 6 * * 7 root test -e /usr/sbin/anacron || run-parts --report /etc/cron.weekly crontab:13:52 6 1 * * root test -e /usr/sbin/anacron || run-parts --report /etc/cron.monthly cron.weekly/0anacron:11:test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || exit 0 cron.weekly/0anacron:12:anacron -u cron.weekly It should be an essential package as it isn't one, but the installer should probably install it as part of a workstation task or the like. That is an installer setup issue though and if it isn't in there it should probably be submitted as a suggestion for the installer people. > -- > Marc Wilson | Flattery will get you everywhere. > [EMAIL PROTECTED] | > > > -- > To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > This Mail Was Scanned By Mail-seCure System > at the Tel-Aviv University CC. > -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
