What is the purpose of the 'cron' program in Linux?

The 'cron' program in Linux is specifically designed to execute scripts and commands at predetermined time intervals. It operates in the background and allows users to schedule tasks, such as running backups or performing system maintenance, without needing human intervention at the designated times. This scheduling capability is defined through the crontab (cron table) file, where users can specify the exact times and frequencies at which certain scripts or commands should run.

This functionality makes 'cron' an essential tool for automating repetitive tasks, ensuring they are completed efficiently and consistently according to the schedules defined by the user. Its purpose aligns perfectly with managing routine system tasks, making it a core component of system administration in a Linux environment.