The atrm command is used to delete a specific task from the pending task queue in Linux. This command is helpful when a task has been scheduled using the at command but needs to be removed or canceled before it is executed.
Overview
The atrm command is used to remove a specific task from the pending task queue. The syntax for this command is as follows:
atrm [options] job_number
Here, job_number refers to the number assigned to the task when it was scheduled using the at command. To find the job number, you can use the atq command.
For example, to delete a task with job number 5, you would use the following command:
atrm 5
You can also delete multiple tasks at once by specifying multiple job numbers separated by spaces:
atrm 5 6 7
Options
The following table lists the available options for the atrm command:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -f | Forces the removal of the specified task(s) without prompting for confirmation. |
| -v | Verbose mode. Displays the job number of each task as it is deleted. |
| -h | Displays a help message and exits. |
Troubleshooting tips
If you receive an error message when attempting to delete a task using atrm, make sure that you are specifying the correct job number. You can use the atq command to verify the job number before attempting to delete the task.
If you are still having trouble, try using the -f option to force the removal of the task without prompting for confirmation.
Notes
- The
atrmcommand only removes tasks from the pending task queue. If a task has already started running, it cannot be removed using this command. - If you are unsure about which task to delete, you can use the
atqcommand to list all pending tasks and their job numbers.