Why Choose `systemctl` Over PM2 for Linux Service Management

Using systemctl to manage services has several advantages, particularly in environments where system integration, robustness, and broader service management capabilities are essential. Here are some reasons why you might opt to use systemctl over PM2:

1. Native to System: systemctl is part of the systemd suite, which is the default system and service manager for many Linux distributions. It is deeply integrated into the Linux ecosystem, providing a consistent and predictable tool for service management across various services on the system.

2. System-wide Management: systemctl manages services at the system level, allowing you to unify the administration of all services running on a system, whether they're Node.js applications, web servers, database servers, or other kinds of services. This centralizes control and configuration.

3. Security and Permissions: Services managed by systemctl are typically run with lower-level system permissions and can be configured with specific security contexts, cgroup restrictions, and other controls for enhanced security, which can be critical in production environments.

4. Dependency Management: systemctl provides robust support for managing dependencies between services, ensuring that services start and stop in the correct order and that required dependencies are available. This is useful when your service relies on other system services to function correctly.

5. Resource Management: With systemd, you have access to advanced resource management features like cgroup integration for CPU, memory, and I/O management, allowing finer control over service resource usage patterns.

6. Stability and Reliability: As part of the operating system's core components, systemctl and systemd are designed for maximum stability and reliability. They are less subject to changes and impacts from application-level bugs or issues.

7. Logging Integration: Services run by systemctl integrate with journald for centralized and structured logging. This can be advantageous for monitoring and maintaining logs across all services on your system systematically.

8. Vendor-Independence: By utilizing systemctl, you are avoiding dependency on third-party solutions like PM2 that may evolve or change practices. Relying on system-embedded tools means fewer external dependencies.

9. Portability and Standards: Using systemctl might be necessary or preferred if you're deploying applications across a diverse set of environments, including those that must adhere to specific standards or regulations regarding system service management.

10. Configuration Consistency: systemctl facilitates the use of configuration files that can easily be managed and version-controlled. This can help maintain consistency across different deployments or instances.

While PM2 offers ease of use and features specifically designed for JavaScript and Node.js applications, systemctl provides robust, system-wide service management capabilities. Depending on your operational requirements, architecture, and deployment needs, you might choose systemctl for its deeper integration with the OS, enhanced security and permissions handling, and uniformity across different types of services.