Hwclock is an UNIX and Linux command for accessing the computer’s hardware clock, a battery-powered clock on the system’s motherboard. The battery ensures that even if the computer loses power, the time will not have to be reset when the computer is powered back on. When the operating system loads, it keeps a record of the time, which may or may not be set according to the system’s hardware clock. As an alternative, it may set the time according to a network time server.

Clock, Programming terms, System BIOS

The system’s hardware clock can also be set using the system BIOS configuration tool.

  • How to set or change a computer’s date and time.
  • Full list of Linux and UNIX commands and examples.