watchdogd:tldr:3fd95

The command "watchdogd" refers to the watchdog daemon, a process that runs in the background on a computer system to monitor the overall health and stability of the system.

The watchdog daemon is typically present on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that the system remains functional and responsive. It achieves this by periodically checking various system components, such as the CPU, memory, and disk usage, as well as monitoring critical services.

If the watchdog daemon detects any issues or abnormalities, such as high CPU usage, unresponsive processes, or system crashes, it takes appropriate actions to attempt to restore the system's normal operations. These actions may include rebooting the system or initiating specific troubleshooting procedures.

The watchdog daemon is especially useful in embedded and critical systems where continuous operation is crucial. It helps prevent system failures and ensures that the system is available and operational as much as possible.

The specific behavior and configuration of the watchdog daemon can vary depending on the operating system and its settings. Typically, it can be configured to define thresholds and actions based on specific conditions, allowing customization according to the system's requirements.