5.3. Using the CLI

Use the query command (abbreviated q) with filters to display details about EVMS objects. There are two filters that are especially helpful for navigating within the command line: list options (abbreviated lo) and extended info (abbreviated ei).

The list options command tells you what can currently be done and what options you can specify. To use this command, first build a traditional query command starting with the command name query, followed by a colon (:), and then the type of object you want to query (for example, volumes, objects, plug-ins). Then, you can use filters to narrow the search to only the area you are interested in. For example, to determine the acceptable actions at the current time on lvm/Sample Container/Sample Region, enter the following command:

query: regions, region="lvm/Sample Container/Sample Region", list options

The extended info filter is the equivalent of Display Details in the EVMS GUI and Ncurses interfaces. The command takes the following form: query, followed by a colon (:), the filter (extended info), a comma (,), and the object you want more information about. The command returns a list containing the field names, titles, descriptions and values for each field defined for the object. For example, to obtain details on lvm/Sample Container/Sample Region, enter the following command:

query: extended info, "lvm/Sample Container/Sample Region"

Many of the field names that are returned by the extended info filter can be expanded further by specifying the field name or names at the end of the command, separated by commas. For example, if you wanted additional information about logical extents, the query would look like the following:

query: extended info, "lvm/Sample Container/Sample Region", Extents