Install desktop files of applications

[ethanc8]

Hello, is it possible for GNUstep make to install the desktop files of applications that include a .desktop file in ${appname}.app/Resources/${appname}.desktop? Therefore, the user wouldn't have to manually copy it to /usr/local/share/applications or ~/.local/share/applications.

[rfm]

Yes gnustep-make supports installing app resources.
For instance if your app is called MyApp
MyApp_RESOURCE_FILES = MyApp.desktop
would install your desktop file as you suggest.

[ethanc8]

The issue is that desktop files must be installed to a global location to be discovered by the desktop environment. This is a consequence on the non-Mac way of doing things where all files are grouped by purpose rather than by application.

[rfm]

Well obviously, it's make, so adding a rule to your makefile to install particular files to a fixed location is documented, with an example template GNUmakefile.postamble, but I guess that's not what you mean.
Perhaps you are wanting to grab information from other people's apps, but that's really not the role of gnustep-make, so it seems unlikely too.
Maybe someone else will better understand what you are asking for and be more able to help.