How to Check Cron Errors

Cron is a command-line tool.

Cron is a type of daemon, or computer program that runs in the background of your computer once it is started via the command prompt. Cron is used on command-line systems, such as Linux or other protocols that allow text-based input. The cron daemon is used to schedule the execution of both visible and invisible -- programs that run in the background are invisible to users -- applications. When cron has an error, it creates a record in the system error log, which you can check to investigate the source of the error.

Instructions

1. Write "cd ~username" at the command line prompt, where "username" is your account name to return to the home directory.

2. Type the path name of your system's error log location. Check your operating system help files for the exact location of the system log error files, then navigate there with a command such as: "cd /var/log/syslog."

3. Open the system log and review it for cron errors. Type "tail-f syslog" to open and view the system log. Look for lines preceded by the "Cron" identifier.

Tips & Warnings

• Any file editor or viewer may be used to open the system log.

References

• Unix Geeks; Newbie Intro to Cron; Dec. 9, 1999
• Ubuntu: Cron How-To
• Linux Home Networking: Quick HOWTO : Ch05 : Troubleshooting Linux with syslog