---
name: "v.what"
section: "1grass"
platform: "linux"
package: "grass-doc"
version: "8.4.1-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/v.what"
---

# v.what(1grass)

Queries a vector map at given locations.

## NAME

**v.what**  - Queries a vector map at given locations.

## KEYWORDS

vector, querying, position

## SYNOPSIS

**v.what**\
 **v.what --help**\
 **v.what** \[-**dagjm**\] **map**=*name*\[,*name*,...\]  \[**layer**=*string*\[,*string*,...\]\]   \[**type**=*string*\[,*string*,...\]\]  **coordinates**=*east,north*  \[**distance**=*float*\]   \[**columns**=*name*\[,*name*,...\]\]   \[--**help**\]  \[--**verbose**\]  \[--**quiet**\]  \[--**ui**\]

### Flags:

- **-d**

  Print topological information (debugging)

- **-a**

  Print attribute information

- **-g**

  Print the stats in shell script style

- **-j**

  Print the stats in JSON

- **-m**

  Print multiple features if overlapping features are found

- **--help**

  Print usage summary

- **--verbose**

  Verbose module output

- **--quiet**

  Quiet module output

- **--ui**

  Force launching GUI dialog

### Parameters:

- **map**=*name\[,name*,...\] **\[required\]**

  Name of vector map(s)

- **layer**=*string\[,string*,...\]

  Layer number or name (’-1’ for all layers)\
   A single vector map can be connected to multiple database tables. This number determines which table to use. When used with direct OGR access this is the layer name.\
   Default: *-1*

- **type**=*string\[,string*,...\]

  Input feature type\
   Options: *point, line, boundary, centroid, area, face, kernel*\
   Default: *point,line,area,face*

- **coordinates**=*east,north* **\[required\]**

  Coordinates for query\
   ’-’ for standard input

- **distance**=*float*

  Query threshold distance\
   Default: *0*

- **columns**=*name\[,name*,...\]

  Name of attribute column(s)\
   Default: all columns

## DESCRIPTION

*v.what* outputs the category number value(s) associated with user-specified location(s) in user-specified vector map layer(s). This module was derived from the *d.what.vect* module by removing all interactive code and modification of the output for easy parsing. Using the *-g* flag generates script-style output which is easily parsable.

## EXAMPLE

North Carolina sample dataset example:

Query polygon at given position:\

```
v.what zipcodes_wake coordinates=637502.25,221744.25
```

Find closest hospital to given position within given distance (search radius):\

```
v.what hospitals coordinates=542690.4,204802.7 distance=2000000
```

## SEE ALSO

*d.what.rast,* *d.what.vect,* *v.rast.stats,* *v.vect.stats,* *v.what.rast,* *v.what.rast3,* *v.what.vect*

## AUTHOR

Trevor Wiens\
 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

## SOURCE CODE

Available at: v.what source code (history)

Accessed: Monday Feb 24 17:51:26 2025

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