How to avoid cron tasks overlapping each other when we cannot change the application's code?

The article discusses the issue of overlapping cron jobs in Linux and presents various methods to prevent this problem. Overlapping tasks can lead to performance issues and conflicts in application behavior. The author suggests several strategies, including using lock files to determine if a cron job is already running and employing popular tools such as `flock` to manage these locks. Additionally, a technique is presented where the last run time of a job is recorded in a file, aiding in ensuring that tasks do not collide and will only execute once during the specified interval. Implementing these solutions not only enhances system efficiency but also mitigates error risks, which is vital in many industrial applications. Understanding the complexities relating to cron jobs and their resolution strategies can be invaluable for system administrators and developers working within a Linux environment.