SERVICE File – What is .service file and how to open it?
SERVICE File Extension
Systemd Service Unit File – file format by Lennart Poettering and Kay Sievers
SERVICE (Systemd Service Unit File), a file extension developed by Lennart Poettering and Kay Sievers, defines configuration settings for systemd services. It contains information about the service, such as its start-up, shutdown, and restart behavior, making it essential for managing system services on Linux systems.
Definition of a SERVICE File
A SERVICE file, also known as a systemd service unit file, is a configuration file used to define and manage services in a system that employs systemd as its systemd service manager. Systemd is a widely adopted init system in Linux distributions, responsible for initializing and managing system processes. SERVICE files provide instructions on how a particular service should run, including its start-up type, dependencies, environment variables, and commands to execute.
Structure and Content of SERVICE Files
SERVICE files are typically named after the service they define, with a “.service” extension. They are written in a structured format that includes sections and key-value pairs. The [Unit] section specifies the name and description of the service, while the [Service] section defines its behavior and properties. The [Install] section is optional and contains information for installing or enabling the service. Other sections, such as [Socket] or [Timer], can be used to define additional aspects of the service’s operation.
Opening SERVICE Files on Linux Systems
SERVICE files are configuration files used by the systemd service manager in Linux distributions. To open a SERVICE file, you can use any text editor such as nano, vim, or gedit. These editors provide a user-friendly interface for viewing and modifying the contents of SERVICE files.
Once you have chosen a text editor, navigate to the directory where the SERVICE file is located. You can use the “cd” command to change directories. For example, if the SERVICE file is located in the “/etc/systemd/system” directory, you would enter the following command:
cd /etc/systemd/system
Once you are in the correct directory, you can use the following command to open the SERVICE file in your chosen text editor:
sudo nano filename.service
Replace “filename.service” with the actual name of the SERVICE file you want to open. You will need to use the “sudo” command to open the file with root privileges, as SERVICE files are typically owned by the root user.
After opening the SERVICE file, you can view and edit its contents. SERVICE files are written in a key-value format, with each key representing a setting and each value representing the setting’s value. You can modify the settings as needed and save the changes by pressing Ctrl+O and then Enter. You can exit the text editor by pressing Ctrl+X.
What is a SERVICE File?
A SERVICE file is a configuration file used by Systemd, a system and service manager for Linux-based operating systems. It defines the behavior and configuration of a system service, such as how it should be started, stopped, and restarted. SERVICE files are typically found in the /etc/systemd/system directory.
Structure and Content of a SERVICE File
The structure of a SERVICE file is divided into sections, each starting with a square bracket ([) and ending with a square bracket (]). The main sections include:
- Unit: Defines basic properties of the service, including its name, description, and dependencies.
- Service: Specifies the executable or command to be run as the service, as well as options for starting, stopping, and restarting the service.
- Install: Configures how the service is installed and enabled on the system.
- Condition: Defines conditions that must be met for the service to start or stop.
- Notify: Specifies what actions should be taken when the service starts, stops, or fails.