anacron is a periodic command scheduler intended for systems that are not continuously running. It is particularly useful for desktop computers, laptops, and other machines that may be switched off when scheduled maintenance tasks would ordinarily execute.
Unlike traditional cron, anacron schedules commands according to intervals measured in days rather than requiring execution at a precise time of day. It keeps a record of when each task last completed and determines whether another execution is due.
This approach makes it suitable for daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance jobs. Tasks that become overdue while a machine is powered off can run after the system becomes available again.
Anacron reads its configuration from an anacrontab file. Each job specifies its execution period, a delay before starting, a unique identifier, and the command to execute. Timestamp files track previous executions so that the program can determine which tasks are due.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Schedule recurring commands at intervals specified in days.
- Execute overdue tasks when a machine becomes available again.
- Track completed jobs using individual timestamp files.
- Configure a delay before running each scheduled task.
- Support daily, weekly, monthly, and custom periodic maintenance jobs.
- Apply random delays to reduce simultaneous execution across multiple systems.
- Restrict execution to a configurable range of hours.
- Run eligible jobs sequentially when requested.
- Force jobs to execute regardless of their recorded timestamps.
- Update job timestamps without executing the corresponding commands.
- Validate anacrontab configuration syntax.
- Use job locking to prevent conflicting executions.
- Send command output by email when mail delivery is configured.
- Support foreground execution and diagnostic output.
Website: anacron.sourceforge.net
Support:
Developer: Itai Tzur (originally written by Christian Schwarz)
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
anacron is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Alternatives to cron | |
|---|---|
| cronie | Modern day version of cron and associated tools |
| fcron | Designed for systems which are not continuously running or regularly |
| Cronicle | Multi-server task scheduler and runner |
| systemd | Suite of basic building blocks for a Linux system |
| Supercronic | Crontab-compatible job runner designed for container environments |
| Ofelia | Low-footprint job scheduler for Docker environments |
| Dkron | Distributed job scheduling system for cloud native environments |
| mcron | 100% compatible replacement for Vixie cron |
| Dagu | Lightweight workflow orchestration engine |
| anacron | Designed for systems which are not continuously running |
| Jobber | Run commands to a schedule |
| bcron | Designed with secure operations in mind |
| Chadburn | Modern job scheduler for Docker environments |
| runcron | Minimal cron alternative for automated and container-friendly environments |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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