Q. For scripting and automation purpose I need the the content of a man-db database in a human readable format. How do I dump content of a man-db database in text format?
A. You need to use accessdb command, which will output the data contained within a man-db database in a human readable form. By default, it will dump the data from /var/cache/man/index.
Type the command as follows:
$ accessdb
Output:
$mtime$ -> "1157392570" $version$ -> "2.4.1" /etc/adduser.conf -> "- 5 5 1109918260 C adduser.conf - gz " /etc/deluser.conf -> "- 5 5 1109918260 C deluser.conf - gz " /etc/hosts.equiv -> "- 5 5 1097931920 C hosts.equiv - gz " /etc/login.defs -> "- 5 5 1116397991 C login.defs - gz " /etc/modules -> "- 5 5 1103452809 C modules - gz " /etc/network/interfaces -> "- 5 5 1115042953 C interfaces - gz "
Or dump output to a text file:
$ accessdb > /tmp/output.txt
Featured Articles:
- 20 Linux System Monitoring Tools Every SysAdmin Should Know
- 20 Linux Server Hardening Security Tips
- My 10 UNIX Command Line Mistakes
- Linux: 20 Iptables Examples For New SysAdmins

- 25 PHP Security Best Practices For Sys Admins
- The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop
- 10 Greatest Open Source Software Of 2009
- Top 5 Email Client For Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows Users
- Top 20 OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices
- Top 10 Open Source Web-Based Project Management Software
- Top 5 Linux Video Editor Software
Facebook it - Tweet it - Print it -
