The answer is that the cron job does not source the user’s .bashrc file. This is the most common cause because cron executes jobs in a non-interactive, minimal shell environment that inherits only a sparse set of default variables, such as PATH=/usr/bin:/bin. Unlike a user’s interactive shell, which automatically loads initialization files like .bashrc or .bash_profile to set custom PATH entries and aliases, cron bypasses these scripts entirely. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of shell environments and the cron daemon’s behavior—a classic trap is assuming cron shares your shell’s configuration. To fix it, you must either source .bashrc explicitly within the cron job or define the full PATH at the top of the crontab file. Memory tip: “Cron is a clean slate—it never reads your bashrc, so your custom PATH won’t make it.”
XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A cron job runs a script that uses a command only available in a custom directory. The script fails from cron but works in the user's shell. Which of the following is the most common cause?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The cron job does not source the user's .bashrc
The most common cause is that cron jobs run in a minimal environment and do not source the user's shell initialization files like .bashrc. This means the custom directory containing the command is not in the PATH variable when the script executes under cron, even though it works in the user's interactive shell where .bashrc is sourced.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The script is not executable
Why it's wrong here
If not executable, the script would also fail when run manually as ./script.sh.
✗
The script has incorrect line endings
Why it's wrong here
Would cause issues in both environments if present.
✗
The cron job runs as root but command is in user's PATH
Why it's wrong here
Root's PATH typically includes standard directories; custom user PATH would not apply.
✓
The cron job does not source the user's .bashrc
Why this is correct
Cron's minimal environment lacks the custom PATH defined in .bashrc.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that cron inherits the user's interactive shell environment, leading candidates to incorrectly choose option C (user mismatch) instead of recognizing that cron does not source shell initialization files.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cron executes jobs with a minimal environment, typically setting only SHELL, LOGNAME, HOME, and PATH to a default like /usr/bin:/bin. It does not source .bashrc, .bash_profile, or /etc/profile, so any PATH modifications made in those files are absent. This is a common pitfall when scripts rely on environment variables or custom paths defined in user shell initialization files.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The cron job does not source the user's .bashrc — The most common cause is that cron jobs run in a minimal environment and do not source the user's shell initialization files like .bashrc. This means the custom directory containing the command is not in the PATH variable when the script executes under cron, even though it works in the user's interactive shell where .bashrc is sourced.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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