uuidgen MacOS Command Guide

The MacOS uuidgen command generates and prints a unique identifier using the UUID library. This command creates a new universally unique identifier (UUID) in a standard format. UUIDs are 128-bit numbers that guarantee uniqueness across space and time. The generated UUIDs can be useful in various scenarios, such as generating unique file names, database keys, or tracking unique items. The uuidgen command on MacOS allows for easy generation of UUIDs without the need for external libraries or tools.

uuidgen Syntax:

uuidgen

Options:

Option	Description
-hdr	Print UUID in human-readable form.
-t time	Generate time-based UUID.
-s	Generate random-based UUID.
-n ns	Generate name-based UUID (namespace is a UUID).

Parameters:

There are no parameters for the uuidgen command.

Caution

Exercise caution when using the uuidgen command, as it generates unique identifiers and should be used carefully to avoid unintended consequences.

uuidgen Command Samples:

Generate a random UUID

uuidgen

Generates a random UUID.

Generate 5 UUIDs in uppercase

uuidgen -U -n5

Generates 5 random UUIDs in uppercase.

Generate a UUID without hyphens

uuidgen -h

Generates a random UUID without hyphens.

Generate a UUID for use in the Mac OS pasteboard

uuidgen | pbcopy

Generates a random UUID and copies it to the Mac OS pasteboard.

Generate a UUID for use in a filename

echo "file_$(uuidgen)" > new_file.txt

Generates a random UUID and appends it to a filename.

Generate a UUID using a specified format

uuidgen -F '%A-%B-%C-%D-%E'

Generates a random UUID using a user-specified format.

Generate a UUID compatible with RFC4122 version 3

uuidgen -r

Generates a UUID that is compatible with RFC4122 version 3.

Tip

When using the uuidgen command in MacOS, make sure to familiarize yourself with the available options to generate UUIDs according to your specific requirements.

How do I use uuidgen in MacOS?

To use the uuidgen command in MacOS, execute the following command:

uuidgen

What is the output format of uuidgen in MacOS?

The output format of uuidgen in MacOS is a standard UUID string in the following format:

6B29FC40-CA47-1067-B31D-00DD010662DA

Can I generate multiple UUIDs at once with uuidgen in MacOS?

Yes, you can generate multiple UUIDs at once with the -n option in uuidgen. For example:

uuidgen -n 5

How can I generate a UUID in uppercase format using uuidgen in MacOS?

To generate a UUID in uppercase format, you can use the -U option with uuidgen as shown below:

uuidgen -U

Is there a way to generate a UUID without hyphens in MacOS using uuidgen?

Yes, you can generate a UUID without hyphens in MacOS by using the -H option with uuidgen. Here’s an example:

uuidgen -H

Applications of the uuidgen command

• Generating unique identifiers
• Creating universally unique names
• Generating random UUIDs for various purposes