lptest(1b) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs
On Solnix, lptest is the illumos command at /usr/ucb/lptest, documented in section 1b and marked obsolete. It takes the same optional length and count arguments, with the same defaults, as FreeBSD and NetBSD lptest. The differences are the install path and the obsolete notice.
The manual pages
- Solnix: lptest(1b) from
pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man· illumos.org - FreeBSD: lptest(1) 15.1-RELEASE
- NetBSD: lptest(1) 11.0
What Solnix runs
The Solnix page documents /usr/ucb/lptest, and the header lists it as the command on PATH at /usr/bin/lptest, with /usr/ucb/lptest as another shipped variant. The bundle does not say how the two paths relate. Section 1b is the illumos BSD-compatibility section. The page says this command is obsolete.
Differences
| Compared with | Topic | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| FreeBSD, NetBSD | obsolete status | The Solnix page states that lptest is obsolete. The FreeBSD and NetBSD pages carry no such notice. Source: Solnix lptest(1b) DESCRIPTION (This command is obsolete); FreeBSD lptest(1) DESCRIPTION; NetBSD lptest(1) DESCRIPTION |
| FreeBSD, NetBSD | path in the synopsis | The Solnix synopsis gives the full path /usr/ucb/lptest. The FreeBSD and NetBSD synopses give the bare command name.Source: Solnix lptest(1b) SYNOPSIS; FreeBSD lptest(1) SYNOPSIS; NetBSD lptest(1) SYNOPSIS |
| Linux | no Linux counterpart in the bundle | The bundle has no Linux lptest page, so nothing here says whether lptest exists on Linux or how it behaves there. Source: Bundle header (counterparts: FreeBSD and NetBSD only) |
| OpenBSD | no OpenBSD counterpart in the bundle | The bundle has no OpenBSD lptest page, so nothing here says whether lptest exists on OpenBSD. Source: Bundle header (counterparts: FreeBSD and NetBSD only) |
| FreeBSD, NetBSD | arguments and defaults | All three systems document the same arguments: length (default 79) and count (default 200). If count is given, length must also be given. The three SYNOPSIS forms differ only in bracket layout, and the meaning is the same. Source: Solnix lptest(1b) OPTIONS; FreeBSD lptest(1) DESCRIPTION; NetBSD lptest(1) DESCRIPTION |
| FreeBSD, NetBSD | exit status documented | The Solnix page documents exit status: 0 on success, non-zero on error. The FreeBSD and NetBSD pages in the bundle have no exit status section. Source: Solnix lptest(1b) EXIT STATUS; FreeBSD lptest(1); NetBSD lptest(1) |
Standards
- POSIX: lptest is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
- FreeBSD: HISTORY: a lptest utility appeared in 4.3BSD.
- NetBSD: HISTORY: lptest appeared in 4.3BSD.
Writing portable scripts
- If you use lptest in a script, always pass length when you pass count. All three pages require it, and the defaults are 79 characters and 200 lines.
- Do not rely on lptest being present. The Solnix page calls it obsolete, and the bundle shows no Linux or OpenBSD page for it.
Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.