File Formats printers(4)
NAME
printers - user-configurable printer alias database
SYNOPSIS
$HOME/.printers
DESCRIPTION
The $HOME/.printers file is a simplified version of the sys-
tem /etc/printers.conf file. See printers.conf(4). Users
create the $HOME/.printers file in their home directory.
This optional file is customizable by the user.
The $HOME/.printers file performs the following functions:
1. Sets personal aliases for all print commands.
2. Sets the interest list for the lpget, lpstat, and
cancel commands. See lpget(1M), lpstat(1) and can-
cel(1).
3. Sets the default printer for the lp, lpr, lpq, and
lprm commands. See lp(1), lpr(1B), lpq(1B), and
lprm(1B).
Entries
Use a line or full screen editor to create or modify the
$HOME/.printers file.
Each entry in $HOME/.printers describes one destination.
Entries are one line consisting of two fields separated by
either BLANKs or TABs and terminated by a NEWLINE. Format
for an entry in $HOME/.printers varies according to the pur-
pose of the entry.
Empty lines can be included for readability. Entries can
continue on to multiple lines by adding a backslash (`\') as
the last character in the line. The $HOME/.printers file can
include comments. Comments have a pound sign (`#') as the
first character in the line, and are terminated by a NEW-
LINE.
Setting Personal Aliases
Specify the alias or aliases in the first field. Separate
multiple aliases by a pipe sign (`'). Specify the destina-
tion in the second field. A destination names a printer or
class of printers, See lpadmin(1M). Specify the destination
using atomic, URI-style (scheme:/endpoint), or POSIX-style
(server:destination) names. See printers.conf(4) for
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File Formats printers(4)
information regarding the naming conventions for destination
names.
Setting the Interest List for lpget, lpstat and cancel
Specify all in the first field. Specify the list of desti-
nations for the interest list in the second field. Separate
each destinations by a comma (`,'). Specify destinations
using atomic, URI-style (scheme:/endpoint), or POSIX-style
(server:destination) names. See printers.conf(4) for infor-
mation regarding the naming conventions for destination
names. This list of destinations can refer to an alias
defined in $HOME/.printers.
Setting the Default Destination
Specify default in the first field. Specify the default
destination in the second field. Specify the default desti-
nation using atomic, URI-style (scheme:/endpoint), or
POSIX-style (server:destination) names. See printers.conf(4)
for information regarding the naming conventions for desti-
nation names. The default destination can refer to an alias
defined in $HOME/.printers.
Locating Destination Information
The print client commands locate destination information
based on the "printers" database entry in the
/etc/nsswitch.conf file. See nsswitch.conf(4).
Locating the Personal Default Destination
The default destination is located differently depending on
the command.
The lp command locates the default destination in the fol-
lowing order:
1. lp command's -d destination option.
2. LPDEST environment variable.
3. PRINTER environment variable.
4. default destination in $HOME/.printers.
5. default destination in /etc/printers.conf.
The lpr, lpq, and lprm commands locate the default destina-
tion in the following order:
1. lpr command's -P destination option.
2. PRINTER environment variable.
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File Formats printers(4)
3. LPDEST environment variable.
4. default destination in $HOME/.printers.
5. default destination in /etc/printers.conf.
Locating the Interest List for lpget, lpstat, and cancel
The lpget, lpstat, and cancel commands locate the interest
list in the following order:
1. all list in $HOME/.printers.
2. all list in /etc/printers.conf.
EXAMPLES
Example 1 Setting the Interest List
The following entry sets the interest list to destinations
ps, secure, and dog at server west and financeps:
all ps,secure,west:dog,lpd:/server/printers/queue
Example 2 Setting Aliases to a Printer
The following entry sets the aliases ps, lp, and lw to
sparcprinter:
pslplw sparcprinter
Example 3 Setting an Alias as a Default Destination
The following entry sets the alias pcl to hplj and sets it
as the default destination:
pcldefault hplj
Example 4 Setting an Alias to a Server Destination
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File Formats printers(4)
The following entry sets the alias secure to destination
catalpa at server tabloid:
secure tabloid:catalpa
Example 5 Setting an Alias to a Site Destination
The following entry sets the alias insecure to destination
legalps using IP:
insecure ipp:/server/printers/legalps
FILES
/etc/printers.conf System printer configuration data-
base
$HOME/.printers User-configurable printer database
ou=printers LDAP version of /etc/printers.conf
printers.conf.byname NIS version of /etc/printers.conf
printers.orgdir NIS] version of /etc/printers.conf
ATRIBUTES
See attributes(5) for descriptions of the following attri-
butes:
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File Formats printers(4)
ATRIBUTE TYPE ATRIBUTE VALUE
Availability SUNWpcu
Interface Stability Stable
SEE ALSO
cancel(1), lp(1), lpq(1B), lpr(1B), lprm(1B), lpstat(1),
lpadmin(1M), lpget(1M), nsswitch.conf(4), printers.conf(4),
attributes(5), standards(5)
System Administration Guide: Basic Administration
NOTES
$HOME/.printers is referenced by the printing commands
before further name resolution is made in /etc/printers.conf
or the name service. If the alias references a destination
defined in /etc/printers.conf, it is possible that the des-
tination is defined differently on different systems. This
could cause output to be sent to an unintended destination
if the user is logged in to a different system.
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