Managing time-triggered events with Zeit
Timetable
© Photo by Matthew Smith on Unsplash
Zeit offers a graphic front end for the crontab and at tools, making it easier to manage the time-controlled execution of programs, alarms, and timers.
When it comes to managing the time-controlled execution of programs, you can use the entries in the /etc/crontab file (crontab) for repetitive tasks scheduled at regular intervals, or you can use the at command for a one-time action.
While at uses a kind of order book that stores the commands to be executed at a scheduled time, cron works somewhat differently. The crontab contains the entries for the whole system, while the files in /var/spool/cron/crontabs/ contain user-specific entries. Each line in the crontab fully describes a single job. Care must be taken when specifying the jobs because of the entry format's fairly arcane syntax. You can learn this syntax, but it is by no means a trivial task. If you have an LPIC-1 certificate, you will be familiar with the entry format.
Despite care and attention, you may find out that jobs fail to start or are executed at the wrong time. A graphical user interface (GUI) can help reduce errors, even for experienced users. However, several earlier attempts at a suitable GUI for time-controlled calls (e.g., KCron, Kcrontab, CroMagnon, Gnome Schedule [1], Gnome Task Scheduler [2], and VCron) have fallen short with development coming to a standstill.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Framework Laptop 13 Pro Competes with the Best
Framework has released what might be considered the MacBook of Linux devices.
-
The Latest CachyOS Features Supercharged Kernel
The latest release of CachyOS brings with it an enhanced version of the latest Linux kernel.
-
Kernel 7.0 Is a Bit More Rusty
Linux kernel 7.0 has been released for general availability, with Rust finally getting its due.
-
France Says "Au Revoir" to Microsoft
In a move that should surprise no one, France announced plans to reduce its reliance on US technology, and Microsoft Windows is the first to get the boot.
-
CIQ Releases Compatibility Catalog for Rocky Linux
The company behind Rocky Linux is making an open catalog available to developers, hobbyists, and other contributors, so they can verify and publish compatibility with the CIQ lineup.
-
KDE Gets Some Resuscitation
KDE is bringing back two themes that vanished a few years ago, putting a bit more air under its wings.
-
Ubuntu 26.04 Beta Arrives with Some Surprises
Ubuntu 26.04 is almost here, but the beta version has been released, and it might surprise some people.
-
Ubuntu MATE Dev Leaving After 12 years
Martin Wimpress, the maintainer of Ubuntu MATE, is now searching for his successor. Are you the next in line?
-
Kali Linux Waxes Nostalgic with BackTrack Mode
For those who've used Kali Linux since its inception, the changes with the new release are sure to put a smile on your face.
-
Gnome 50 Smooths Out NVIDIA GPU Issues
Gamers rejoice, your favorite pastime just got better with Gnome 50 and NVIDIA GPUs.