Several OpenEdge database utilities now provide a help option that displays utility syntax at the command prompt. The -help option lets you check syntax for the subcommands and subutilities at the command line, instead of stopping to search syntax on the content portal.

For example, suppose that you want to manage encryption policies for a database object, or the autostart or key store status. You may recall that you need a subcommand of PROUTIL EPOLICY, but not know the subcommand name.

To show the syntax for PROUTIL EPOLICY, type: 

proenv>proutil -C epolicy -help
OpenEdge Release 12.2ALPHA as of Fri Dec 27 19:02:15 EST 2019
proutil <db-name> -C epolicy info ...
proutil <db-name> -C epolicy manage ...
proutil <db-name> -C epolicy scan ...
proutil <db-name> -C epolicy view ...

When a command ends with three dots (ellipses), more help is available. For more detailed syntax, type the command shown, followed by the -help keyword in place of the three dots:

proenv>proutil -C epolicy manage -help
OpenEdge Release 12.2ALPHA as of Fri Dec 27 19:02:15 EST 2019
proutil <db-name> -C epolicy manage [ <object-type>
       { encrypt | cipher | rekey | update } <object-name> ] |
     [ keystore { reconstruct | rebind | userphrase | adminprhase } ] |
     [ autostart { admin | user | disable } ]
     [ [ -userid <userid> ] [ -password <password> ] ]

When there are no dots after a command, all available qualifiers are shown.

You can now use the syntax shown to compose commands. If desired, you may also save the command output and search on it for more information.