The ph user interface has two modes: "command-line mode" and "interactive mode". Command-line mode permits the user to process ph queries from the operating system prompt or so-called "command-line". If ph is given no arguments on the command-line, it enters interactive mode, where it prompts for, executes, and displays the results of Nameserver commands.

Interactive mode is commonly used to view and change information in one's own entry or an entry for which one has proxy as well as to process queries. It also provides access to a variety of Nameserver commands not available in command-line mode. To see a list and brief description of the interactive mode commands, type "help commands". Some of these commands require the user to identify him/herself to ph by use of the "login" command (see help on "login"); others do not. Interactive mode commands may be abbreviated, provided enough characters are given to distinguish them from other commands.

EXAMPLES
If the "ph" command is issued at the operating system prompt without any arguments (i.e., a query expression), it takes the user to interactive mode where s/he is presented with the "ph>" prompt. Once at the "ph>" prompt, an interactive mode command can be issued. The example below shows how one enters interactive mode:

ux1 4> ph
$Date: 1992/08/17 13:35:39 $$Revision: 5.7 $ 100:Ph passwords may be obtained at CCSO Accounting, 1420 DCL. 100:Be sure to bring your University Id Card. You may not need 100:a password if you are using the login in your email field. 200:Database ready.

ph> [ph is ready and waiting for you to enter a command]

On some Unix systems, it is also possible to enter interactive mode by invoking ph on the command-line with the name of one of the ten data types found in the "type" field of the Nameserver database. These include: "areacode", "fall", "food", "person", "phone", "spring", "summer", "timetable", "unit", and "weather". If ph is invoked with one of these alternative names, it sets the default type for all queries to the type specified. It also displays the name of the specified type in the interactive mode prompt (e.g., "weather>", "food>", etc., instead of "ph>"). In the example below, ph is invoked with the name "person" and enters interactive mode. All queries processed during the session default to type "person":

ux1 9> person
$Date: 1992/08/17 13:35:39 $$Revision: 5.7 $ 100:Ph passwords may be obtained at CCSO Accounting, 1420 DCL. 100:Be sure to bring your University Id Card. You may not need 100:a password if you are using the login in your email field. 200:Database ready.

person> ph english return name phone

        name: english aaron joseph
       phone: (217) 367-6845
   ----------------------------------------
        name: english francis e
       phone: 332-1877
   ----------------------------------------
        name: english margaret m
       phone: 367-3167
   ----------------------------------------
        name: english paul richard
       phone: Not present in entry.
   ----------------------------------------
        name: english sondra kay
       phone: 384-4669
   ----------------------------------------
         name: english talisa renee
       phone: (217) 332-4514

Once having entered interactive mode in this manner, it is possible to override the default type by specifying a different type in the selection clause of the query:

person> ph type=unit english return name phone

        name: English as an International Language, Division of
       phone: 333-1506
   ----------------------------------------
        name: English, Dept of
       phone: 333-2391

SEE ALSO: ph, query, manpage, command-line_mode, proxy, type