desktop-file-utils-0.11

Introduction to desktop-file-utils

The desktop-file-utils package contains command line utilities for working with desktop entries. These utilities are used by GNOME-2 and other applications to manipulate the MIME-types application databases and help adhere to the desktop entries standards specification.

Package Information

desktop-file-utils Dependencies

Required

GLib-2.10.3

Optional

Emacs-21.4a

User Notes: http://wiki.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/wiki/desktop-file-utils

Installation of desktop-file-utils

Install desktop-file-utils by running the following commands:

./configure --prefix=/usr &&
make

This package does not come with a test suite.

Now, as the root user:

make install

Configuring desktop-file-utils

Configuration Information

The default location for the MIME-types application database is /usr/share/applications/mimeinfo.cache. If you are going to install, or have already installed, a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE in a prefix other than /usr, you'll need to update the XDG_DATA_DIRS variable with your prefix setting. Update the XDG_DATA_DIRS (if necessary) and XDG_CONFIG_DIRS environment variables so that the additional MIME-types application databases and desktop menu files are properly maintained and discovered by adding the following to the system-wide or personal profile:

For GNOME:

XDG_DATA_DIRS=/usr/share:$GNOME_PREFIX/share
XDG_CONFIG_DIRS=/usr/share:/etc/gnome/2.14.3/xdg
export XDG_DATA_DIRS XDG_CONFIG_DIRS

For KDE:

XDG_DATA_DIRS=/usr/share:$KDE_PREFIX/share
XDG_CONFIG_DIRS=/usr/share:/etc/kde/xdg
export XDG_DATA_DIRS XDG_CONFIG_DIRS

Contents

Installed Programs: desktop-file-install, desktop-file-validate, and update-desktop-database
Installed Libraries: None
Installed Directories: None

Short Descriptions

desktop-file-install

is used to install a new, or modify an existing desktop file entry. It is also used to rebuild or modify the MIME-types application database.

desktop-file-validate

is used to verify the integrity of a desktop file.

update-desktop-database

is used to update the MIME-types application database.

Last updated on 2007-01-18 13:38:19 -0600