lpr

lpr is a command-line tool used in Unix-like operating systems to print files from the command line. The command stands for "line printer," emphasizing its historical association with line printers.

With lpr, users can send files to print without using a graphical interface or a printing application. This tool allows for convenient and efficient printing from scripts and command-line operations, which can be useful for automation and batch processing purposes.

To use lpr, you typically specify the file(s) you want to print by passing their names as arguments to the command. You can also provide options to customize the printing behavior, such as selecting a specific printer, setting the number of copies to print, and specifying page ranges.

Some common options used with lpr include -P to specify the printer destination, -n to set the number of copies, -o to provide additional options to the printing system, and -# to specify the page range.

lpr interacts with the printing system on the operating system, which commonly uses the CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) backend. This allows lpr to work with various printers and print servers that support CUPS, enabling network printing.

Printer-specific options and configurations can often be set via the CUPS web-based interface or by editing configuration files. lpr relies on these settings to determine the default behavior and available printers.

While lpr is commonly used on Unix-like systems, the specific options and behavior may vary slightly between different distributions and versions.

Overall, lpr provides a simple yet powerful way to print files from the command line, offering flexibility and automation options for users who prefer working in the terminal environment.