How to use the command 'lilypond' (with examples)
The ’lilypond’ command is used to typeset music and/or produce MIDI from a file. It is a powerful tool for musicians and composers to create professional-looking sheet music.
Use case 1: Compile a lilypond file into a PDF
Code:
lilypond path/to/file
Motivation: This use case is useful when you have a lilypond file (.ly) and you want to compile it into a PDF file. The PDF file can then be used to print the sheet music or share it electronically.
Explanation: In this use case, the command ’lilypond’ is followed by the path to the lilypond file you want to compile. The command will scan the file, typeset the music, and generate a PDF file.
Example output: After running the command, you will find a PDF file in the same directory as the input file. It will have the same name as the input file but with a .pdf extension.
Use case 2: Compile into the specified format
Code:
lilypond --formats=format_dump path/to/file
Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to see a list of all the available output formats that ’lilypond’ can generate. It can be helpful for determining which format is suitable for your specific requirements.
Explanation: In this use case, the command ’lilypond’ is followed by the option ‘–formats=format_dump’ and the path to the lilypond file. The command will display a list of all the available output formats supported by ’lilypond’.
Example output: After running the command, you will see a list of output formats along with a brief description for each format.
Use case 3: Compile the specified file, suppressing progress updates
Code:
lilypond -s path/to/file
Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to compile a lilypond file without seeing the progress updates. By suppressing the progress updates, you can reduce the clutter in the terminal and make the compilation process faster.
Explanation: In this use case, the command ’lilypond’ is followed by the option ‘-s’ and the path to the lilypond file. The command will compile the file while suppressing the progress updates.
Example output: After running the command, you will see the compilation process happening without any progress updates being displayed in the terminal.
Use case 4: Compile the specified file and also specify the output filename
Code:
lilypond --output=path/to/output_file path/to/input_file
Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to compile a lilypond file and specify a different output filename. It allows you to control the naming convention of the output file and organize your files in a more structured manner.
Explanation: In this use case, the command ’lilypond’ is followed by the option ‘–output=’ and the path to the desired output file, as well as the path to the lilypond input file. The command will compile the input file and save the output with the specified filename.
Example output: After running the command, you will find the compiled output in the specified output file path, with the specified filename.
Use case 5: Show the current version of lilypond
Code:
lilypond --version
Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to check the version of lilypond that is installed on your system. It can be helpful for troubleshooting or ensuring compatibility with other software or tools.
Explanation: In this use case, the command ’lilypond’ is followed by the option ‘–version’. The command will display the current version of lilypond installed on your system.
Example output: After running the command, you will see the version number of lilypond displayed in the terminal.
Conclusion:
In this article, we explored various use cases of the ’lilypond’ command. We learned how to compile a lilypond file into a PDF, get a list of available output formats, compile a file while suppressing progress updates, specify the output filename, and check the version of lilypond. These examples demonstrate the flexibility and functionality of the ’lilypond’ command, making it an essential tool for musicians and composers.
