NAME

lpq − spool queue examination program

USAGE

lpq [ + [n ] ] [ −l ] [ −Pprinter ] [ job # ] [ user(s) ]

DESCRIPTION

Lpq 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.  Lpq invoked without any arguments reports on any jobs currently in the queue. 

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).  The names of individual files that comprise a job may not be available (e.g., when lpr(1) is the last command in a pipeline).  In this case, the file is specified as “(standard input)". 

If lpq warns that there is no daemon present, use the lpc(8) command to restart the printer daemon. 

OPTIONS

−Pprinter Specify a particular printer; otherwise, the default line printer (or the value of the PRINTER variable in the environment) is used. 

+n Display the spool queue until it empties.  Supplying an optional number argument immediately after the + sign indicates that lpq should sleep n seconds between scans of the queue. 

job # Look for only those print jobs with one of the job #s specified. 

user(s) Look for only those print jobs owned by one of the users specified. 

−l Print information about each of the files being printed as part of one job.  Only as much information as will fit on one line is displayed. 

NOTES

Because the status of jobs in the spooling directory changes rapidly, lpq may not report completely current information. 

Output formatting is sensitive to the line length of the terminal; this can result in widely spaced columns. 

DIAGNOSTICS

Unable to open various files. 

The lock file is malformed. 

Garbage files show up when no daemon is active, but there are files in the spooling directory. 

FILES

/etc/printcap to determine printer characteristics

/usr/spool/lpd/* the spooling directory, as determined from printcap

/usr/spool/lpd/*/cf* control files specifying jobs

/usr/spool/lpd/*/lock the lock file to obtain the currently active job

RELATED INFORMATION

lpr(1) lprm(1) lpc(8) lpd(8)
 
DOMAIN/IX User’s Guide, Appendix K