Working With Directory Entry Files

Language:

A directory entry file is a data file that provides information about a menu. The directory entry file specifies the menu details such as name, tooltip, and menu icon. Directory entry files have a .directory file extension.

To resolve the location of the .directory files, the system performs a search for default path in the following order:

Searches in the $XDG_DATA_HOME/desktop-directories. If the $XDG_DATA_HOME environment variable is not set, search in the ~/.local/share/desktop-directories default directory.
Searches the subdirectory of each of the desktop-directories in the $XDG_DATA_DIRS. If the $XDG_DATA_DIRS environment variable is not set, search in the /usr/share/desktop-directories default directory.
If several .directory files with the same name are found, the file that is found first takes precedence.

The following example shows a sample directory entry file.

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Graphics 
Name[fr]=Graphisme
...
Comment=Graphics applications
Comment[fr]=Applications graphiques
...
Icon=gnome-graphics
Type=Directory
Encoding=UTF-8

The following table describes some of the important keys in directory entry files.

Table 3-2 Directory Entry Keys

Directory Entry Key	Description
`Name`	Specifies the name of the menu. This name is displayed on the menu.
`Comment`	Specifies a short description of the menu. The comment is displayed as a tooltip when you point to the menu.
`Icon`	Specifies the filename of an icon that represents the menu. Does not specify the path to the filename or the file extension.
`Type`	Specifies the type of menu. The value of this key is always `Directory`.