AskPlus Command Line Options

Specifying a Visimage Profile Name (-a)

When starting AskPlus you can specify a default Visimage3 (VsrvTcp) profile that should be used using the -a option. AskPlus will inherit the same default environment as Visimage, including the working directory, except for the login parameter.

/ASKPLUS/askplus -b -aspectrum_live << EOD

• The above syntax will start AskPlus using the VsrvTcp profile spectrum_live
• There must be no spaces between the option "-a" and the profile name.
• The vsrvtcp listener process must be running for AskPlus to successfully process the "-a" option.
• When this option is used, the value of all system variables set in the VsrvTcp profile (including EQ_DBSERVER) will overwrite any default values associated with the current login.

Information on creating Visimage profiles is located in the <MANUAL_INSTALL>.

Specifying the VsrvTcp Port (-serv:)

By default, AskPlus connects to VsrvTcp via the default port specified using the askplus keyword in /etc/services.

askplus   30505/tcp     # AskPlus/Visimage server.

To specify a different port, use the -serv: option.

/ASKPLUS/askplus -b -aspectrum_live -serv:29500 << EOD

• In most cases it is best to use the default port.

Specifying a Visimage Manager File (-u)

Another way to specify a default environment is to specify the name of a Visimage manager (environment) file using the -u option.

/ASKPLUS/askplus -b -u./visimage/membrs_live << EOD

• Make sure the path specified for the manager file is valid for the current directory when AskPlus is started.
• If both "-a" and "-u" are specified, the "-a" option will take priority and the "-u" option will be ignored.
• If the vsrvtcp listener is not running, then the "-u" parameter will be used. (Does not seem to be true.)

Specifying a Command (XEQ) File (-xeq:)

It is possible to specify the name of an command file that will be executed immediately when AskPlus is started.

/ASKPLUS/askplus -xeq:../xeq/cmdfile

• Make sure the path specified for the manager file is valid for the current directory when AskPlus is started.
• Unless the command file contains an exit command, AskPlus will continue to run after the command file has been executed.