einfo
Please note: following the release of the new version of PubMed, the results returned by E-utilities queries of PubMed may differ slightly from those returned in the web version of PubMed. A new PubMed API is currently under development: more information will be announced when available.
As new Insider's Guide classes are no longer being offered, this site is not currently being updated. Please refer to NCBI's E-utilities documentation for more up-to-date information.
The einfo command uses the EInfo utility to display a list of NCBI databases which can be accessed by E-utilities, or to display summary statistics and information about indexed fields and links in a specific database.
Input
The einfo command has two modes (see below for details).
If the -dbs argument is used, einfo requires no additional input.
If the -db argument is used, einfo requires a single database name.
Output
If the -dbs argument is used, einfo outputs a text list of NCBI databases which can be accessed by E-utilities.
If the -db argument is used, einfo outputs information (in XML format, by default) about the database specified in the -db argument: summary statistics, information about indexed fields, and/or links to other databases. You can control which information is output using the -fields and -links arguments (see below); using either of these options will output information in text instead of XML.
Arguments
The einfo command allows the following arguments:
-dbs: Outputs a text list of NCBI databases which can be accessed by E-utilities.-db: Allows you to specify a database name about which you wish to receive information.- Example:
-db pubmed
- Example:
-fields: Overrides the default XML output and prints a text list of indexed fields for the database specified by the-dbparameter.-links: Overrides the default XML output and prints a text list of links (for use with the ELink utility) for the database specified in the-dbparameter.
Examples:
Display a text list of databases which can be accessed by E-utilities:
einfo -dbs
Display summary statistics for PubMed and information about PubMed indexed fields and links, in XML format:
einfo -db pubmed
Display a text list of PubMed indexed fields:
einfo -db pubmed -fields
Display a text list of PubMed links:
einfo -db pubmed -links
Display a text list of PubMed indexed fields and links:
einfo -db pubmed -fields -links