How to Use the Command 'cupstestppd' (with examples)

The cupstestppd command is a utility that was used for testing the conformance of PostScript Printer Description (PPD) files to a specific version of the PPD specification—version 4.3. This allows administrators and developers to ensure that their PPD files adhere to the required standards. Although the command is deprecated and certain functionalities may be replaced by lpadmin, it remains valuable in understanding how PPD files can be validated for compliance, especially for historical data and legacy systems.

Use case 1: Testing the conformance of one or more files in quiet mode

Code:

cupstestppd -q path/to/file1.ppd path/to/file2.ppd ...

Motivation:

Running cupstestppd in quiet mode is beneficial when an administrator wants to quickly check the conformance of multiple PPD files without cluttering the terminal with verbose output. This scenario is typical when processing large batches of files or integrating this step into larger automation scripts where detailed results are not immediately necessary but logged for future reference.

Explanation:

• cupstestppd: The command to test PPD file conformance.
• -q: This argument specifies quiet mode, which means the command will suppress normal output and only indicate issues via return codes. This is helpful in scripting and automation contexts where silent validation is desired.
• path/to/file1.ppd path/to/file2.ppd ...: These are the file paths to the PPD files you want to test. You can include as many files as needed, providing a quick batch check.

Example Output:

There is no standard output in quiet mode. The command will exit with a code reflecting the status of the conformance test highly valuable for automated checks.

Use case 2: Getting the PPD file from stdin, showing detailed conformance testing results

Code:

cupstestppd -v - < path/to/file.ppd

Motivation:

This use case is ideal when you need to verify the PPD file directly from a script or a pipeline and want comprehensive feedback on any detected issues. It is particularly useful in development or debugging situations where understanding specific errors is crucial for diagnosing and correcting file issues.

Explanation:

• cupstestppd: The command to test PPD file conformance.
• -v: The verbose flag enables detailed output, providing insights into potential issues and warnings along with line numbers and specific error messages, which is critical for troubleshooting.
• -: This instructs the command to read the PPD file from the standard input (stdin), allowing flexibility in how files are provided—useful for piping contents from other scripts or commands.
• < path/to/file.ppd: Redirects the content of the specified PPD file into the cupstestppd command through stdin.

Example Output:

LanguageLevel: 3
PCFileName: "Sample.ppd"
...
*PPD-Adobe: "4.3"
CUPS test PPD: PASS

This output provides a detailed view of file conformance, confirming compliance with specific error or success messages.

Use case 3: Testing all PPD files under the current directory

Code:

find . -name \*.ppd \! -execdir cupstestppd -q '{}' \; -print

Motivation:

In an environment where multiple PPD files are spread across directories, the need to validate all files efficiently arises. This use case enables administrators to test a large number of files simultaneously, identifying those that do not conform to the specification effortlessly.

Explanation:

• find .: Searches for files starting from the current directory. This ensures that all subdirectories are also included in the search.
• -name \*.ppd: Filters the search to files with a .ppd extension, targeting our objects of interest.
• \! -execdir cupstestppd -q '{}' \;: For each located PPD file, it executes the cupstestppd command in quiet mode to test conformance. execdir runs the command in the directory of the found file, ensuring proper path resolution.
• -print: Outputs the file names that did not meet conformance standards, allowing the administrator to quickly identify files that need attention.

Example Output:

./printer1/file.ppd
./printer2/legacy.ppd

This output identifies specific PPD files that have failed to conform, leading to targeted troubleshooting and corrections.

Conclusion:

While cupstestppd is deprecated, its historical significance and utility in validating PPD files remain relevant, especially in working with legacy systems. These examples showcase essential use cases where quiet mode, verbose validation, and batch processing can streamline workflows, helping administrators maintain printing functionalities on diverse systems. While transitioning to more modern tools like lpadmin entails changes, understanding the application of cupstestppd provides a historical insight into managing printer settings effectively.