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update-alternatives arguments - and can't be the same

rated 0 times [ 2] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 3698 / 2 Years ago, sat, december 18, 2021, 12:17:58

I want to add vimb to the default browsers in x-www-browser. I don't see it in update-alternatives --config x-www-browser, so I think I have to --install it. After some time spent in reading man update-alternatives and searching, I came up with this:

update-alternatives --install /usr/local/bin/vimb x-www-browser /usr/local/bin/vimb 30

It seems stupid (the repeating arguments), but I think I haven't understood the manual correctly. What exactly do I have to pass at link and path?

COMMANDS

   --install link name path priority [--slave link name path]...



    link is the generic name for the master link,

    name is the name of its symlink in the alternatives directory, and

    path  is  the  alternative  being introduced for the master link.



TERMINOLOGY

   alternatives directory

          A directory, by default /etc/alternatives, containing the symlinks.



   alternative name

          The name of a symbolic link in the alternatives directory.



   alternative (or alternative path)

          The name of a specific file in the filesystem, which may be made accessible  via

          a generic name using the alternatives system.

Do I have to make a copy of /usr/local/bin/vimb in /etc/alternatives or what?

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nerta

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1 Year ago

answered 2 Years ago pantkie · Accepted Answer

The manpage is somewhat confusing IMHO, but the key parts seem to be



--install link name path priority [--slave link name path]...

       Add a group of alternatives to the system.  link is the  generic

       name for the master link, name is the name of its symlink in the

       alternatives directory, and path is the alternative being intro‐

       duced  for the master link.

where generic name is described in the TERMINOLOGY section as



generic name (or alternative link)

       A name, like /usr/bin/editor, which refers, via the alternatives

       system, to one of a number of files of similar function.

whereas the actual executable target is referred to as the path



alternative (or alternative path)

       The name of a specific file in the filesystem, which may be made

       accessible via a generic name using the alternatives system.

so in your case it needs to be

update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/x-www-browser x-www-browser /usr/local/bin/vimb 30