LPIC-1 Administrative Tasks Practice Question
Exhibit
# /etc/crontab: system-wide crontab SHELL=/bin/sh PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin # m h dom mon dow user command 17 * * * * root cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.hourly 25 6 * * * root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.daily ) 47 6 * * 7 root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.weekly ) 52 6 1 * * root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.monthly )
Refer to the exhibit. What is the purpose of the 'test -x /usr/sbin/anacron' command in the cron entries?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume 'test -x' runs or starts anacron, when in fact it is a conditional check used with '!' to suppress duplicate job execution.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It ensures the periodic tasks are not run if anacron is installed.
The 'test -x /usr/sbin/anacron' command checks if the anacron binary exists and is executable. If it is, the test returns true (exit code 0), and the subsequent periodic tasks (e.g., run-parts) are skipped due to the logical NOT operator '!' at the beginning of the cron entry. This prevents duplicate execution of periodic jobs when both cron and anacron are installed, as anacron is designed to handle them for systems that may not be running continuously.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It checks if anacron is executable and then runs the periodic tasks.
Why it's wrong here
The '||' runs the tasks only if the test fails (anacron absent), not if it succeeds.
- ✗
It starts anacron if it is not already running.
Why it's wrong here
The command does not start anacron; it only tests for its presence.
- ✓
It ensures the periodic tasks are not run if anacron is installed.
Why this is correct
If anacron is installed, the test returns true, so the '||' branch (run-parts) is not executed, preventing cron from running tasks that anacron handles.
- ✗
It logs the output of the periodic tasks to a file.
Why it's wrong here
There is no logging redirection in this command.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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