How to use the command systemd-path (with examples)

Systemd is a widely-used init system and service manager for Linux, providing a range of features for managing the system. The systemd-path command allows users to list and query system and user paths in Linux. This article will cover several use cases of the systemd-path command with corresponding examples.

Use case 1: Display a list of known paths and their current values

Code:

systemd-path

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to view a list of known paths and their current values in the Linux system.

Explanation: Running systemd-path without any arguments displays a list of known paths and their current values.

Example output:

PathRoot=/usr
PathBin=/usr/bin
PathSbin=/usr/sbin
PathLib=/usr/lib
...

Use case 2: Query the specified path and display its value

Code:

systemd-path "path_name"

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to query a specific path in your Linux system and display its value.

Explanation: By replacing “path_name” with the desired path you want to query, the systemd-path command will display the value of that path.

Example output:

PathRoot=/usr

Use case 3: Suffix printed paths with suffix_string

Code:

systemd-path --suffix suffix_string

Motivation: You can use this use case when you want to append a specific suffix to the printed paths obtained from the systemd-path command.

Explanation: By providing the --suffix option followed by the desired suffix_string, the systemd-path command will suffix all the printed paths with that string.

Example output:

PathRoot=/usr-suffix_string
PathBin=/usr/bin-suffix_string
PathSbin=/usr/sbin-suffix_string
PathLib=/usr/lib-suffix_string
...

Use case 4: Print a short version string and then exit

Code:

systemd-path --version

Motivation: This use case is handy when you want to quickly obtain the version of the systemd-path command and then exit.

Explanation: Using the --version option with systemd-path will print a short version string of the command and then exit.

Example output:

systemd 247 (247.1)

Conclusion:

The systemd-path command provides useful functionality to list and query system and user paths in Linux. By utilizing the different use cases covered in this article, users can easily view path values, append suffixes to paths, and obtain the version of the systemd-path command.