UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I am running Mandrake 8.1 and am wondering what file Linux uses to start services. Such as MySQLD and Apache. I need to add a program to this startup file so that it loads when linux loads.

Thanks

Gregg

Usually the startup services for Linux will be located at /etc/rc.d/init.d. Here you will find out quite numbers of deamons that will be used during startup. Some might not be Enabled. You can try add services to /etc/rc.d/init.d.
Also try using your X and check the Mandrake add services apps.
You should able to add services that you wish to run during boot up time.

That's great! Thanks a bunhc. I actually tried putting it in the rc.local file and it worked. Are there any advantages/disadvantages over using rc.d or rc.local?

rc.local will run anything in it like a script.
If you place something in /etc/rc.d/init.d, to enable it you have to write the script in a specific way, and then place a link from init.d to rc?.d, where "?" is the number of the runlevel it should be started in.

I find it easier to place scripts in the rc.local in most cases. Read some of the scripts for an idea of how they work.