lpq(1) [freebsd man page]
LPQ(1) BSD General Commands Manual LPQ(1) NAME
lpq -- spool queue examination program SYNOPSIS
lpq [-a] [-l] [-Pprinter] [job # ...] [user ...] DESCRIPTION
The lpq utility examines the spooling area used by lpd(8) for printing files on the line printer, and reports the status of the specified jobs or all jobs associated with a user. The lpq utility invoked without any arguments reports on any jobs currently in the queue. Options: -P Specify a particular printer, otherwise the default line printer is used (or the value of the PRINTER variable in the environment). All other arguments supplied are interpreted as user names or job numbers to filter out only those jobs of interest. -l Information about each of the files comprising the job entry is printed. Normally, only as much information as will fit on one line is displayed. -a Report on the local queues for all printers, rather than just the specified printer. For each job submitted (i.e., invocation of lpr(1)) lpq reports the user's name, current rank in the queue, the names of files comprising the job, the job identifier (a number which may be supplied to lprm(1) for removing a specific job), and the total size in bytes. Job ordering is dependent on the algorithm used to scan the spooling directory and is supposed to be FIFO (First in First Out). File names comprising a job may be unavailable (when lpr(1) is used as a sink in a pipeline) in which case the file is indicated as ``(standard input)''. If lpq warns that there is no daemon present (i.e., due to some malfunction), the lpc(8) command can be used to restart the printer daemon. ENVIRONMENT
If the following environment variable exists, it is used by lpq: PRINTER Specifies an alternate default printer. FILES
/etc/printcap To determine printer characteristics. /var/spool/* The spooling directory, as determined from printcap. /var/spool/*/cf* Control files specifying jobs. /var/spool/*/lock The lock file to obtain the currently active job. DIAGNOSTICS
Unable to open various files. The lock file being malformed. Garbage files when there is no daemon active, but files in the spooling direc- tory. SEE ALSO
lpr(1), lprm(1), lpc(8), lpd(8) HISTORY
A lpq utility appeared in 3BSD. BUGS
Due to the dynamic nature of the information in the spooling directory lpq may report unreliably. Output formatting is sensitive to the line length of the terminal; this can results in widely spaced columns. BSD
April 28, 1995 BSD
Check Out this Related Man Page
lpq(1) General Commands Manual lpq(1) Name lpq - spool queue examination program Syntax lpq [ options ] [ job #... ] [ user... ] Description The command examines the spooling area used by for printing files on the printer, and reports the status of jobs. The command invoked without any arguments reports on any jobs currently in the default queue. When jobs are being printed, reports the queue as being ``active''. For each job submitted, reports the user's name, current rank in the queue, the names of files comprising the job, the job identifier and the total size in bytes. The job identifier is a number which may be supplied to to remove a specific job. Job ordering is determined by the FIFO (First In, First Out) algorithm used to scan the spooling directory. When the queue is empty, reports that there are ``no entries''. File names may be unavailable for some jobs, for example, if the command is used without specifying a file name, or if is used in a pipe line. If file names are unavailable, the file name reported by is ``standard input''. Arguments job #... Causes to report on only the job number(s) specified. user... Causes to report on only the jobs for the specified user(s). Options +n Scan and display the spool queue until the queue is empty. The queue is scanned every n seconds, if no argument is specified the queue is scanned every 30 seconds. -l Display the status of each job on more than one line if necessary. If this option is not used, the status of each job is displayed on one line. -Pprinter Report the status of the spool queue for the printer specified. If this option is not used, the spool queue displayed is the one defined by the PRINTER environment variable. If a queue is not defined by the PRINTER environment variable, the spool queue displayed is for the printer named ``lp'' in the file. Restrictions The displayed status of the spool queue may not always be the current status. This is because jobs may be completed after the queue has been examined, but before the status has been displayed. Error Messages Two of the most common error messages from are: Warning: no daemon present (R) A daemon is not available for the specified printer. Refer to the command to find out how to restart the printer daemon. unknown printer (R) The printer specified as an argument to the -P option, doesn't have an entry in the file. Files For manipulating the screen for repeated display To determine printer characteristics The spooling directory, as determined from printcap Control files specifying jobs The lock file to obtain the currently active job See Also lpr(1), lprm(1), lpc(8), lpd(8) lpq(1)