cups-config is a command-line utility that provides technical information about your CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) print server installation. CUPS is a widely used printing system for Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS.
When you run the cups-config command, it displays various details and configuration options related to your CUPS installation. Here are some of the key functionalities of cups-config:
- Compiler and Linker Flags: cups-config can provide the compiler and linker flags necessary for compiling and linking programs that interact with the CUPS API. These flags include information about the CUPS header files and libraries required for development.
- Default Configuration Files: cups-config can give you the locations of the default CUPS configuration files. These files control various aspects of the printing system, such as printer settings, print queues, and access control.
- Library Information: cups-config can provide information about the CUPS libraries installed on your system. This includes the version of the CUPS library, as well as the paths to the library files.
- Backend and Filter Information: cups-config can list the available backends and filters in your CUPS installation. Backends are responsible for communicating with printers and sending print jobs, while filters handle the conversion and processing of print data.
- Other Configuration Details: cups-config can provide additional information, such as the location of the CUPS server socket file, the default page size and resolution, and the supported image formats.
By using cups-config, you can gather important information about your CUPS print server installation, which can be useful for various purposes, including software development, troubleshooting printer-related issues, and understanding the configuration of your printing system.
Please note that the specific output and available options of cups-config may vary depending on your CUPS installation and the version of CUPS you are using. It is recommended to refer to the documentation or manual pages for cups-config for detailed usage instructions and specific options available in your system.
cups-config Command Examples
1. Show the currently installed version of CUPS:
# cups-config --version
2. Show where CUPS is currently installed:
# cups-config --serverbin
3. Show the location of CUPS’ configuration directory:
# cups-config --serverroot
4. Show the location of CUPS’ data directory:
# cups-config --datadir
5. Display all available options:
# cups-config --help