updatedb daily cron job

TranceDude · 08-12-2005, 01:05 PM

hi,

when i sometimes run locate, it tells me if have to enable the updatedb daily cron job
How cna i do this?

Matir · 08-12-2005, 01:40 PM

Put the following script into /etc/cron.d/slocate:

Code:

#! /bin/sh

if [ -x /usr/bin/updatedb ]
then
        if [ -f /etc/updatedb.conf ]
        then
                nice /usr/bin/updatedb
        else
                nice /usr/bin/updatedb -f proc
        fi
fi

TranceDude · 08-12-2005, 01:50 PM

so the script has to be called "slocate" right?

Matir · 08-12-2005, 01:52 PM

It doesn't have to be, but that's its name on my system.

TranceDude · 08-22-2005, 08:28 AM

hi

i added that script but now it's still tells me the update the daily cron job ...
any idea why the "locate" command still tells me this?

thx

jtshaw · 08-22-2005, 10:17 AM

Probably because the cron job hasn't run yet and the updatedb is > 24 hours old.

TranceDude · 08-23-2005, 10:12 AM

so when do i know when the update runs automatically then?

me confused

Matir · 08-23-2005, 12:47 PM

did you make sure the file was executable? are you seeing anything from cron in the system logs?

TranceDude · 08-24-2005, 08:54 AM

hi

you have to realize i'm a linux beginner, i dont know how to make a file executable and dont know anything about system logs !

I use linux for 1 month now, so you have to explain it to me because i dont have any idea what you are talking about, sorry

thx

Matir · 08-24-2005, 01:29 PM

Do 'chmod +x /etc/cron.daily/slocate'. Then try running /etc/cron.daily/slocate (just type it at the command line) and see if you get any errors, or if it works.

TranceDude · 08-24-2005, 01:38 PM

hi

does it have to be in cron.d or cron.daily?

I tried running it: went to cron.d and did slocate but then i get this :S

Code:

[root@dd57648b1 cron.d]# slocate
Secure Locate 2.7 - Released January 24, 2003

Copyright (c) 1999, 2000, 2001 Kevin Lindsay & Netnation Communications Inc. &
James A. Woods <jwoods@adobe.com>

search usage:   slocate [-qi] [-d <path>] [--database=<path>] <search string>...
                slocate [-r <regexp>] [--regexp=<regexp>]
database usage: slocate [-qv] [-o <file>] [--output=<file>]
                slocate [-e <dir1,dir2,...>] [-f <fs_type1,...> ] [-l <level>]
                        [-c] <[-U <path>] [-u]>
general usage:  slocate [-Vh] [--version] [--help]

   Options:
   -u                 - Create slocate database starting at path /.
   -U <dir>           - Create slocate database starting at path <dir>.
   -c                 - Parse original GNU Locate's '/etc/updatedb.conf'
                        when using the -u or -U options.  If 'updatedb' is
                        symbolically linked to the 'slocate' binary, the
                        original configuration file will automatically be
                        used.
   -e <dir1,dir2,...> - Exclude directories from the slocate database when
                        using the -u or -U options.
   -f <fs_type1,...>  - Exclude file system types from the slocate database
                        when using the -u or -U options. (ie. NFS, etc).
   -l <level>         - Security level.
                           0 turns security checks off. This will make
                             searchs faster.
                           1 turns security checks on. This is the default.
   -q                 - Quiet mode.  Error messages are suppressed.
   -n <num>           - Limit the amount of results shown to <num>.
   -i                 - Does a case insensitive search.
   -r <regexp>
   --regexp=<regexp>  - Search the database using a basic POSIX regular
                        expression.
   -o <file>
   --output=<file>    - Specifies the database to create.
   -d <path>
   --database=<path>  - Specfies the path of databases to search in.
   -h
   --help             - Display this help.
   -v
   --verbose          - Verbose mode. Display files when creating database.
   -V
   --version          - Display version.

Author: Kevin Lindsay
Bugs:   klindsay@mkintraweb.com
FTP:    ftp://ftp.geekreview.org/slocate/
        ftp://ftp.mkintraweb.com/pub/linux/slocate/
HTTP:   http://www.geekreview.org/slocate/

Is this what is supposed to happen?
I'm just a beginner

Matir · 08-25-2005, 07:47 AM

No, that's the actual slocate program. In cron.daily, do './slocate'.

TranceDude · 08-25-2005, 12:09 PM

ow yeah sorry, i forgot the "./"