Editing Cron (section)

{{short description|Job scheduler for Unix-like operating systems}}
{{other uses}}
{{lowercase}}
{{Infobox software
| name = cron
| screenshot = Cron-example-command.gif
| caption = Example usage of {{code|cron}} utility
| developer = [[AT&T Bell Laboratories]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1975|5}}
| programming language = [[C (programming language)|C]]
| operating system = [[Unix]] and [[Unix-like]], [[Plan 9 from Bell Labs|Plan 9]], [[Inferno (operating system)|Inferno]]
| genre = [[Job scheduler]]
}}
The '''<code>cron</code>''' command-line utility is a [[job scheduler]] on [[Unix-like]] [[operating system]]s. Users who set up and maintain software environments use cron to schedule jobs<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comtronic.com.au/automation-with-cron-job-on-centos-8/|title=Automation with Cron job on Centos 8|date=April 6, 2020}}</ref> (commands or [[shell script]]s), also known as '''cron jobs''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stackoverflow.com/questions/21615673/difference-between-cron-crontab-and-cronjob|title=Difference between cron, crontab, and cronjob?|website=Stack Overflow}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials/cron-job|title=Cron Job: a Comprehensive Guide for Beginners 2020|date=May 24, 2019}}</ref> to run periodically at fixed times, dates, or intervals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adminschoice.com/crontab-quick-reference|title=Crontab – Quick Reference|date=December 21, 2009|website=Admin's Choice}}</ref> It typically automates system maintenance or administration—though its general-purpose nature makes it useful for things like downloading files from the [[Internet]] and downloading [[email]] at regular intervals.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

Cron is most suitable for scheduling repetitive tasks. Scheduling one-time tasks can be accomplished using the associated [[at (command)|''at'']] utility.

Cron's name originates from [[Chronos]], the Greek word for time.{{cn|date=January 2025}}