getconf

getconf is a command line tool in Unix-like operating systems that retrieves system configuration variables. It is commonly used to query various attributes related to the system, such as system limits, file system parameters, and path variables. The command can be executed with different options to provide specific information that is useful for system administrators and developers. By default, getconf outputs the value of a specified system variable or limit, such as the maximum number of open file descriptors allowed per process. It can also be used to obtain specific information about the file system, such as the maximum length of a file name. The command is part of the POSIX standard and therefore provides cross-platform compatibility across different Unix-like systems. Getconf can also be used to retrieve information about specific paths, such as the location of system configuration files or libraries. Additionally, it can be used in shell scripts and other automated tasks to dynamically extract system configuration values for further processing. The command can accept different options, such as -a to display all system variables and their values, or -v to print additional information about the command. Overall, getconf is a versatile command line tool that allows users to access and retrieve system configuration variables and information in Unix-like systems.