Description: The ‘Wants’ directive in systemd unit files is a crucial component that allows specifying dependencies between different service units. In the context of systemd, a unit can be a service, a socket, a device, among others. The ‘Wants’ directive indicates that a unit should be activated if another unit is active, but it is not strictly necessary for the unit that requires it to function. This means that even if the wanted unit is not active, the unit requesting it can still start. This feature is particularly useful for managing services that are not critical to the operation of others, allowing for greater flexibility and efficiency in process management. Additionally, ‘Wants’ is used to establish dependency relationships that facilitate the sequencing of service starts, ensuring that services that depend on others are started in the correct order. In summary, ‘Wants’ is a directive that helps define how units interact and are managed within a system, contributing to a more organized and controlled startup of services in various environments.
