Question

Im using a crontab like:

00 */1 * * * wget http://www.test.com/cron/archieve

I would like to know the difference using > /dev/null 2>&1 in the end of the command, and if its recomended.

Answer 1

If you do not add > /dev/null 2>&1, output of that command will be mailed to user that this cron job runs at – probably you.

I would imagine you don’t want to be spammed by cron jobs – but this is up to you

EDIT: explanation what > /dev/null 2>&1 really means.

There are 3 standard file descriptors: 0 (stdin), 1 (stdout) and 2 (stderr).
> file is the same as 1> file, in other words, redirect std. file descriptor 1 (stdout) to file.

2>&1 means redirect std. file descriptor 2 (stderr) to the same place where 1 (stdout) is redirected.

In the end, full effect of > /dev/null 2>&1 means redirect both stdout and stderr to /dev/null, in other words make that program completely silent