einfo

Print all database names

$ einfo -dbs

$ einfo -db [protein]

$ einfo -db [nuccore] -fields

$ einfo -db [protein] -links

einfo message...

einfo is a utility predominantly found in Gentoo Linux environments, an integral part of the Portage build system's scripting functions. It serves as a crucial component for providing standardized, colored output messages during the execution of ebuilds and other system scripts. Unlike typical standalone commands, einfo is often implemented as a shell function (alongside ewarn, eerror, elog, ebegin, eend) to ensure consistent visual feedback. Its primary purpose is to display informational messages to the user, typically prefixed with a distinctive indicator (e.g., a blue *), making script output more readable and actionable.

This standardization helps developers and users quickly distinguish between informational notes, warnings, errors, and process beginnings/endings during complex operations like software compilation or package installation. It does not accept traditional command-line options, but rather takes a string argument as the message to be displayed.

einfo is highly specific to Gentoo Linux and its Portage system. It is generally not available or functional on other Linux distributions out-of-the-box. Its implementation is typically as a shell function, meaning it's primarily designed for scripting within Gentoo's build environment rather than direct interactive command-line use with complex options. Its output relies on terminal capabilities for color, which might not render correctly in all environments.

einfo is primarily used within shell scripts, particularly Gentoo ebuilds, to communicate progress, status, or general information to the user. It helps maintain a consistent user interface across various build and installation routines, crucial for complex, automated tasks.

The core utility of einfo and related functions is their ability to automatically apply specific ANSI color codes to the output. einfo typically prints messages in a standard informational color (often blue or green) with a distinctive prefix (e.g., an asterisk). This immediate visual cue enhances readability and helps users quickly parse script output, distinguishing different types of messages at a glance.

einfo emerged as part of the Gentoo Linux project's efforts to standardize output during the complex build process of packages using Portage. As a source-based distribution, Gentoo heavily relies on scripts (ebuilds) to compile and install software. To make these often long and complex processes user-friendly, consistent and clear visual feedback was essential. The einfo function, along with its counterparts ewarn, eerror, ebegin, and eend, were developed as shell functions to provide this structured output, ensuring all messages conform to a predefined color and prefix scheme. This approach contrasts with ad-hoc echo commands, significantly improving the overall user experience and script readability across the entire Gentoo ecosystem.

ewarn(1), eerror(1), elog(1), ebegin(1), eend(1), portage(5), ebuild(1)