What does the command 'splunk show config inputs' return?

The command 'splunk show config inputs' specifically returns the in-memory configuration for inputs.conf. This means it displays the current settings and configurations that Splunk is actively using at that moment, which may have been modified through user-defined configurations. The in-memory configuration reflects real-time changes made to the inputs, such as those initiated via management commands or alterations to the inputs.conf file that are currently in effect without requiring a restart of the Splunk instance.

This functionality is particularly useful for administrators who need to verify or troubleshoot the current input settings, as it allows them to see what configurations are currently applied across the system rather than what might be stored on disk or what defaults are set. This understanding can help in diagnosing issues related to data input and ensuring that the expected data sources are correctly configured and running.

While other options reference different aspects of the inputs configuration, they do not represent what the 'splunk show config inputs' command outputs. The distinction lies in the command's focus on the real-time, dynamic state of the configuration rather than static values or default settings.