4.5 Using a Unix Service to Manage Daemons

When SQLcl is installed using the RPM package, it includes a systemd service (named sql-scheduler) to centrally manage SQLcl scheduler daemons for multiple users. This service manages daemons of all users belonging to a specific Unix group.

When you install SQLcl using the RPM package, the following user and group configurations are performed:
  • A Unix group named sql-scheduler is created if one doesn't exist on the system.
  • The oracle user account is created if it doesn't exist. Additionally, it is added to the sql-scheduler group.

If you add any other user to the sql-scheduler group, their scheduler daemon is automatically managed by the systemd service.

When a user is part of this group, the user’s daemon starts automatically on system boot (if the service is enabled) and stops cleanly on system shutdown.

Note:

The systemd service manages only the users in the sql-scheduler group. Other users must manage their daemon manually using the sql -daemon commands.
Explore the following topics for information on using this Unix service and accessing in-product support resources.

4.5.1 Managing the Service as the Root User

After installing the SQLcl RPM package and ensuring all the required users are in the sql-scheduler group, a privileged user (like root) can manage the service to centrally control starting and stopping daemons for the users.

This example demonstrates managing the service as the root user to control the scheduler daemon for the oracle user.

Check the oracle User's Group

Confirm that the oracle user is part of the sql-scheduler group. 


[root@oracledb23ia ~]$ groups oracle
oracle : oracle oinstall .... sql-scheduler

Check the sql-scheduler Service Status

Confirm that the sql-scheduler service is installed. 

[root@oracledb23ia ~]$ systemctl status sql-scheduler
   sql-scheduler.service - SQLcl scheduler services
   Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/sql-scheduler.service; disabled; vendor preset: disabled)
   Active: inactive (dead)
 
Jun 09 13:02:57 oracledb23ia.localdomain systemd[1]: Started SQLcl scheduler services.

Start the Service

Run the sql-scheduler service to start the scheduler daemon for all users in the sql-scheduler group (in this case, just the oracle user). 

[root@oracledb23ia ~]$ systemctl start sql-scheduler
[root@oracledb23ia ~]$ systemctl status sql-scheduler
   sql-scheduler.service - SQLcl scheduler services
   Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/sql-scheduler.service; disabled; vendor preset: disabled)
   Active: active (running) since Mon 2025-06-09 13:39:06 CST; 2min 29s ago
  Process: 3832 ExecStart=/usr/bin/bash -c /etc/init.d/sql-scheduler start (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
 Main PID: 3938 (java)
    Tasks: 0 (limit: 36046)
   Memory: 64.0K
   CGroup: /system.slice/sql-scheduler.service

Check the Service Logs

Use the journalctl command to view the service logs. All related logs, schedule configuration files, and runtime data for the oracle user are placed in the following location: /home/oracle/.dbtools/schedules. 

[root@oracledb23ia ~]# journalctl -a -f -u sql-scheduler
 
Jun 09 13:31:57 oracledb23ia.localdomain systemd[1]: sql-scheduler.service: Succeeded.
Jun 09 13:31:57 oracledb23ia.localdomain systemd[1]: Stopped SQLcl scheduler services.
Jun 09 13:39:02 oracledb23ia.localdomain systemd[1]: Starting SQLcl scheduler services...
Jun 09 13:39:02 oracledb23ia.localdomain bash[3842]: Starting the SQLcl Scheduler Daemon.
Jun 09 13:39:02 oracledb23ia.localdomain bash[3849]: Starting the SQLcl Scheduler Daemon for user oracle.
.....

Stop the Service

Stop the scheduler daemon for managed users (for example, the oracle user). 

[root@oracledb23ia ~]# systemctl stop sql-scheduler
[root@oracledb23ia ~]# journalctl -a -f -u sql-scheduler
 
Jun 09 13:39:04 oracledb23ia.localdomain bash[4065]: The SQLcl Scheduler Daemon has started correctly.
Jun 09 13:39:06 oracledb23ia.localdomain systemd[1]: Started SQLcl scheduler services.
Jun 09 14:07:24 oracledb23ia.localdomain systemd[1]: Stopping SQLcl scheduler services...
Jun 09 14:07:24 oracledb23ia.localdomain bash[4497]: Stopping the SQLcl Scheduler Daemon.
Jun 09 14:07:24 oracledb23ia.localdomain bash[4504]: Stopping SQLcl Scheduler Daemon for user oracle

4.5.2 In-Product Help

For YUM or RPM installations, you can view the SQL and scheduler-service manual pages available in the product for additional information.

The Service Manual Page


man sql-scheduler.service

The SQL Manual Page


man sql