kbdinfo
Display keyboard information
SYNOPSIS
kbdinfo [options]
PARAMETERS
-d, --device
Specify the keyboard device to query (default: /dev/console).
-d, --disk
Show the name of the file to which the standard output is redirected (to detect disk-full-errors).
-h, --help
Display a help message and exit.
-n, --no-bell
Disable bell before printing to screen.
-q, --quiet
Suppress warning messages.
-s, --short
Show only the keyboard name.
-v, --version
Display version information and exit.
DESCRIPTION
The kbdinfo command retrieves and displays detailed information about the keyboard configuration currently active in the Linux system. It provides insights into the keyboard layout, keymaps, and other keyboard-related settings, offering a way to understand how the system interprets key presses.
Unlike commands like setxkbmap that set the keyboard layout, kbdinfo is a read-only tool, designed to provide the information configured within the kernel and related utilities. This command is especially useful for debugging keyboard-related issues, understanding the active keyboard settings, and confirming that changes made using other keyboard configuration tools have taken effect. It bridges the gap between abstract key presses and the concrete characters generated on the screen. Note that the information displayed might vary depending on the specific Linux distribution and the keyboard setup tools used.
CAVEATS
The information displayed by kbdinfo depends on the kernel and keyboard drivers in use. Certain information may not be available on all systems or with all keyboard configurations. The output format might change slightly between different versions of the kbd package.
USAGE EXAMPLES
- To display basic keyboard information:
kbdinfo - To display basic keyboard name only:
kbdinfo -s - To specify a different keyboard device:
kbdinfo -d /dev/tty1
HISTORY
The kbdinfo command is part of the kbd package, a suite of utilities for managing the Linux console keyboard. It has been developed and maintained alongside other tools for configuring keymaps, fonts, and other console-related settings. The command evolved as the Linux console became more sophisticated, providing more mechanisms for customization. Originally created to display basic keyboard configuration, its functionality has been extended over time to provide more comprehensive information about the state of the keyboard setup.
