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Cron is the system scheduler on Unix/Linux/Mac operating systems. The ''crontab'' is the schedule of actions that the machine must keep. There are two types of crontabs in place on most systems: ''user crontabs'' and the ''system crontab''. {{highlight|text=dates and times are critically important to the proper function of a computer. Be sure to setup and configure the Network Time Protocol Daemon [[NTP]]}}
== Avoid User Crons ==
== How to edit crontabs ==
* Use a [[Text Editor]] to create/edit <code>/etc/cron.d/example.com</code> and add entries for new schedule jobs.
* Send notification to the [[Changes List]] "Core Tech" about the adjustment.
* '''Comment''' Make sure your crontab entries include generous comments about what it does, when it does it etc, when it was implemented or last changed etc. Do not rely on the user's ability to read (cryptic) cron systax! nor force the user to inspect the contents of each script. Do point to reference sources like wiki or support URLs for detailed information. Complex scripts should be written independently, tested and saved to /root/bin where they can be easily called from cron.
* Use <code>crontab -e</code> to edit the crontab for the current user
* <code>man crontab</code> can provide a lot more information.
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