How to use the command 'ncmpcpp' (with examples)
’ncmpcpp’ is a command-line music player client for the Music Player Daemon. It allows users to connect to a music player daemon and control their music library through a terminal interface. This article will illustrate several use cases of the ’ncmpcpp’ command along with code examples, motivations, explanations, and example outputs.
Use case 1: Connect to a music player daemon on a given host and port
Code:
ncmpcpp --host ip --port port
Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to connect to a specific music player daemon (MPD) instance running on a remote host and port. This is useful when controlling music playback from a different device or remotely managing a music library.
Explanation:
--host ip: Specifies the IP address or hostname of the host where the MPD instance is running.--port port: Specifies the port number on which the MPD instance is listening.
Example output:
Connected to MPD instance on 192.168.1.100:6600
Use case 2: Display metadata of the current song to console
Code:
ncmpcpp --current-song
Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to quickly retrieve and display the metadata of the currently playing song. It allows users to view information such as the song title, artist, album, and duration without having to switch to a graphical music player interface.
Explanation:
--current-song: Instructs ’ncmpcpp’ to retrieve and display the metadata of the current song.
Example output:
Title: The Show Must Go On
Artist: Queen
Album: Innuendo
Duration: 04:31
Use case 3: Use a specified configuration file
Code:
ncmpcpp --config file
Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to load a custom configuration file for ’ncmpcpp’. By specifying a configuration file, users can personalize the behavior and appearance of ’ncmpcpp’ according to their preferences.
Explanation:
--config file: Specifies the path to the configuration file to be used by ’ncmpcpp'.
Example output:
Loaded configuration file: /home/user/.ncmpcpp/config
Use case 4: Use a different set of key bindings from a file
Code:
ncmpcpp --bindings file
Motivation: The motivation for using this example is to use a different set of key bindings for ’ncmpcpp’. Key bindings determine the actions performed when certain keys are pressed, and by specifying a different bindings file, users can customize the keyboard shortcuts to their liking.
Explanation:
--bindings file: Specifies the path to the key bindings file to be used by ’ncmpcpp'.
Example output:
Loaded key bindings file: /home/user/.ncmpcpp/bindings
Conclusion:
In this article, we explored various use cases of the ’ncmpcpp’ command, a command-line music player client for the Music Player Daemon. We learned how to connect to a specific music player daemon, display current song metadata, use a custom configuration file, and apply a different set of key bindings. These examples demonstrate the flexibility and personalization options available with ’ncmpcpp’, making it a powerful tool for managing and enjoying music through a terminal interface.
