rctest

rctest [options] script_path [action]

script_path
    The path to the run control script (e.g., an init.d script) to be tested. This is often a mandatory argument for `rctest` implementations designed to test specific scripts.

action
    The action to be passed to the target script, such as start, stop, status, restart, reload, or force-reload. This argument simulates how an init system would invoke the script.

-v, --verbose
    Increases the verbosity of the command's output, showing more details about the execution process or the output of the tested script. This is a common option for debugging.

-d, --debug
    Enables debug mode, often printing internal operations, environment variables, or detailed error information helpful for troubleshooting the rctest utility itself or the script being tested.

--dry-run
    Simulates the execution of the script without actually performing any system changes. This is useful for previewing actions and dependencies without risk.

The rctest command is not a standard utility found in most modern Linux distributions. Its name suggests it is designed for testing run control (RC) scripts, typically those found in the /etc/init.d directory or the /etc/rc.local script. When it exists, rctest usually provides a way to execute these system startup/shutdown scripts outside of the normal boot sequence, allowing administrators or developers to verify their functionality, check for errors, and ensure they behave as expected before deployment or during troubleshooting.

Due to its non-standard nature, the exact implementation, available options, and behavior of rctest can vary significantly depending on the specific Linux distribution, embedded system, or custom environment where it is found. It might simulate the execution environment of an init system, passing arguments like start, stop, status, or restart to the target script. Users should consult the documentation specific to their system if rctest is present.

rctest is not a standard Linux command and is rarely found on modern general-purpose distributions (which typically use systemd). Its functionality, if present, is highly specific to its implementation and the environment it serves (e.g., custom embedded systems or older SysVinit-based distributions).

When testing system startup/shutdown scripts, especially with root privileges, always exercise caution as improper execution can lead to system instability or unintended side effects.

If encountered, rctest is most likely to be found on specialized Linux systems, such as embedded devices, legacy servers still running SysVinit, or custom-built distributions. It is generally not part of the core utilities provided by major desktop or server Linux distributions today.

As rctest would typically involve executing system scripts that might modify system state or privileged resources, it often requires root privileges. Care should be taken when using such a command, as executing untrusted or improperly configured scripts can lead to security vulnerabilities or system malfunctions.

The concept of testing run control scripts predates modern init systems like systemd. In the era of SysVinit, where scripts in /etc/init.d were central to system startup and shutdown, utilities like rctest (or custom shell scripts with similar functionality) might have been used to manually test the behavior of these scripts. However, there is no widely documented or standardized history for a specific command named rctest. Its appearance is likely limited to specific embedded Linux projects, legacy systems, or custom build environments where a simple testing utility for run control scripts was deemed necessary.

init(8), rc.local(5), systemctl(1), update-rc.d(8), chkconfig(8)