Desktop Entry Files
A desktop entry file is a data file that provides information about
an item in a menu. The desktop entry file specifies the details for the item
such as a name, a command to run, an icon, and so on. The desktop entry file
also contains keywords which determine the location of the item in the menu
hierarchy. Desktop entry files have a .desktop file extension.
The following is a sample desktop entry file:
[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Calculator
Comment=Perform calculations
Exec=gcalctool
Icon=gcalctool.png
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=GNOME;Application;Utility;
Table 2–4 describes the most important keys
in desktop entry files.
Table 2–4 Desktop Entry Keys
Desktop Entry Key
|
Description
|
Encoding
|
Specifies the encoding of the desktop entry file.
|
Name
|
Specifies the name of the item. This name is displayed
on the item in the menu.
|
Comment
|
Specifies a short description of the item. The comment
is displayed as a tooltip when you point to the item in the menu.
|
Exec
|
Specifies a command to execute when you choose the item
from the menu.
|
Icon
|
Specifies the filename of an
icon that represents the item. Does not specify the path to the filename,
or the file extension.
|
Terminal
|
Specifies whether the command
in the Exec key runs in a terminal window. If the value
is true the command runs in a terminal window.
If the command does not create a window in which to run, the value of this
key must be true.
|
Type
|
Specifies the type of item. This
value is one of the following:
-
Application: Enter this option for an
item that starts an application.
-
Link: Enter this option for an item that
links to a file, folder, or URI.
|
Categories
|
Specifies the keywords that describe
the item. The keywords are separated with semicolons (;). To see a list of
the standard category keywords, see the desktop menu specification at the
following URL:
http://www.freedesktop.org
The vfolder information
files map the keywords to menus.
|
For more information on the keys in desktop entry files, see the desktop
entry specification at the following URL:
http://www.freedesktop.org
Note – Panel launchers and desktop objects also use desktop entry files.
The desktop entry files for launchers and desktop objects provide the same
information as for items in a menu. For example, the desktop entry files provide
the command to run when a user chooses the launcher or object.