| PackageDescription | management of regular background processing
cron is a background process (`daemon') that runs programs at regular
intervals (for example, every minute, day, week or month); which
processes are run and at what times are specified in the `crontab'.
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Users may also install crontabs so that processes are run on
their behalf, though this feature can be disabled or restricted to
particular users.
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Output from the commands is usually mailed to the system administrator
(or to the user in question); you should probably install a mail system
as well so that you can receive these messages.
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This cron package is configured by default to do various standard
system maintenance tasks, such as ensuring that logfiles do not
grow endlessly and overflow the disk.
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The lockfile-progs package is only a "Suggests" because of the poor
way that dselect handles "Recommends", but I do strongly suggest that
you install it; it prevents /etc/cron.daily/standard from running multiple
times if something gets jammed. |