[db-wg] Addition of long query options

Dear colleagues,

With the latest RIPE Database software release, we introduced the choice of longer names for query options. Now each existing query option has an equivalent long name starting with a double dash. These names are more descriptive than the single character options. For example, "-x", which represents exact match searches, has "--exact" as its longer equivalent. The existing behaviour doesn't change; these long names can be used in addition to the short ones, which are all still valid.

Using these longer names allows for more descriptive queries. When a query is passed on to a colleague or when it is coded inside a script, the reader will have a better understanding of what the query is searching for without having to consult the documentation. It also allows more flexibility to introduce new query options as more features are added to the RIPE Database.

Below you will find the full list of RIPE Database query server options. This list can be generated any time with the query "whois -h whois.ripe.net help" as well.

Kind Regards,

Kaveh Ranjbar,
RIPE NCC Database Group Manager.

...

%     The following options are available:
%
%     -x, --exact <ip-lookup>
%           Requests that only an exact match on a prefix be performed. If no
%           exact match is found no objects are returned.
%
%     -l, --one-less <ip-lookup>
%           Returns first level less specific inetnum, inet6num or route(6)
%           objects, excluding exact matches.
%
%     -L, --all-less <ip-lookup>
%           Returns all level less specific inetnum, inet6num or route(6)
%           objects, including exact matches.
%
%     -m, --one-more <ip-lookup>
%           Returns first level more specific inetnum, inet6num or route(6)
%           objects, excluding exact matches.
%
%     -M, --all-more <ip-lookup>
%           Returns all level more specific inetnum, inet6num or route(6)
%           objects, excluding exact matches.
%
%     -C, --no-irt <ip-lookup>
%           Turns off default option '-c' or '--irt'.
%
%     -c, --irt <ip-lookup>
%           Requests first level less specific inetnum or inet6num objects with
%           the "mnt-irt:" attribute (enabled by default).
%
%     -b, --abuse-contact <ip-lookup>
%           Requests first level less specific inetnum or inet6num objects with
%           the "abuse-c:" reference. Only object keys and "abuse-mailbox:"
%           attributes are visible.
%
%     -d, --reverse-domain <ip-lookup>
%           Enables use of the -m, -M, -l and -L flags for lookups on reverse
%           delegation domains.
%
%     -i, --inverse <attribute-name> <inverse-key>
%           Perform an inverse query.
%
%     -F, --brief
%           Produce output using short hand notation for attribute names.
%
%     -K, --primary-keys
%           Requests that only the primary keys of an object to be returned. The
%           exceptions are set objects, where the members attributes will also
%           be returned. This flag does not apply to person and role objects.
%
%     -k, --persistent-connection (optional normal query)
%           Requests a persistent connection. After returning the result the
%           connection will not be closed by the server and a client may issue
%           multiple queries on the same connection.
%           Note, that server implements 'stop-and-wait' protocol, when no next
%           query can be sent before receiving a reply for the previous one.
%           Except the first -k query, -k without an argument closes the
%           persistent connection.
%
%     -G, --no-grouping
%           Disables the grouping of objects by relevance.
%
%     -B, --no-filtering
%           Disables the filtering of "notify:", "changed:" and "e-mail:"
%           attributes.
%
%     -r, --no-personal
%           Switches off recursion for contact information after retrieving the
%           objects that match the lookup key.
%
%     -T, --filter-types (comma separated list of object types, no white space is allowed)
%           Restricts the types of objects to lookup in the query.
%
%     -a, --all-sources
%           Specifies that the server should perform lookups in all available
%           sources. See also "-q sources" or "--all-sources" query.
%
%     -s, --sources (comma separated list of sources, no white space is allowed)
%           Specifies which sources and in which order are to be looked up when
%           performing a query.
%
%     -q (sources|version|types)
%           "sources"  see list-sources.
%           "version"  see version.
%
%     --list-sources
%           Returns the current set of sources along with the information
%           required for mirroring. See [REF], section 2.9 "Other server
%           features" for more information.
%
%     --version
%           Displays the current version of the server.
%
%     -t, --template <object-type>
%           Requests a template for the specified object type.
%
%     -v, --verbose <object-type>
%           Requests a verbose template for the specified object type.
%
%     -V, --client <client-tag>
%           Sends information about the client to the server.
...
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