#### Beyond Linux® From Scratch (systemd Edition) - Version 11.1

### Chapter 11. General Utilities

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# desktop-file-utils-0.26

## Introduction to Desktop File Utils

The Desktop File Utils package contains command line utilities for working with Desktop entries. These utilities are used by Desktop Environments and other applications to manipulate the MIME-types application databases and help adhere to the Desktop Entry Specification.

This package is known to build and work properly using an LFS-11.1 platform.

### Package Information

- Download (HTTP): https://www.freedesktop.org/software/desktop-file-utils/releases/desktop-file-utils-0.26.tar.xz

- Download MD5 sum: 29739e005f5887cf41639b8450f3c23f

- Download size: 84 KB

- Estimated disk space required: 1.8 MB

- Estimated build time: less than 0.1 SBU

### Desktop File Utils Dependencies

#### Required

GLib-2.70.4

#### Optional

Emacs-27.2

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

## Installation of Desktop File Utils

### Warning

If you are upgrading from a previous version of desktop-file-utils that used the Autotools method of installing and configuring the package, you must remove the desktop-file-edit symlink by using the following commands.

    rm -fv /usr/bin/desktop-file-edit

Install Desktop File Utils by running the following commands:

    mkdir build &&
    cd    build &&

    meson --prefix=/usr --buildtype=release .. &&
    ninja

This package does not come with a test suite.

Now, as the `root` user:

    ninja install

## Command Explanations

`--buildtype=release`: Specify a buildtype suitable for stable releases of the package, as the default may produce unoptimized binaries.

## Configuring Desktop File Utils

###

#### Configuration Information

The XDG Base Directory specification defines the standard locations for applications to place data and configuration files. These files can be used, for instance, to define the menu structure and menu items in a desktop environment.

The default location for configuration files to be installed is `/etc/xdg`, and the default locations for data files are `/usr/local/share` and `/usr/share`. These locations can be extended with the environment variables `XDG_CONFIG_DIRS` and `XDG_DATA_DIRS`, respectively. The GNOME, KDE and XFCE environments respect these settings.

When a package installs a `.desktop` file to a location in one of the base data directories, the database that maps MIME-types to available applications can be updated. For instance, the cache file at `/usr/share/applications/mimeinfo.cache` can be rebuilt by executing the following command as the `root` user:

    install -vdm755 /usr/share/applications &&
    update-desktop-database /usr/share/applications

## Contents

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

### Short Descriptions

desktop-file-edit | is used to modify an existing desktop file entry
desktop-file-install | is used to install a new 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

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