Erm, no - flock(1) is a UNIX tool, a component if you will. It's the exact opposite of reinventing the wheel.
Not understanding the operating system you're using is fine, but it's good to at least know what you don't know.
If I need to write a wrapper script each time I need to run a task on a timer - then it is the proverbial reinventing the wheel. It doesn't matter if you call it a tool, utility or a component. Especially if this was solved decades ago.
> Not understanding the operating system you're using is fine
Ah, another mighty UNIX wizard here.
And there's your problem - you don't realize "writing a wrapper script" is actually simpler than messing with config files.
Come on, I would repeat it again - it was solved for decades. Why do you need to do the things like it's 1976? Why do you insist everyone else should do that way too and abandon the fruits of the digital age?
It was solved decades ago: in 1976. I don't understand why you feel like it wasn't.