Maintaining consistent configurations across multiple computers can be a challenge, especially within a Linux environment. For users seeking to compare and synchronize settings, particularly on desktops like MATE, understanding tools like dconf and gsettings is crucial. This article delves into methods for comparing computer configurations using these utilities, addressing the common hurdles and potential solutions.
The Challenge of Comparing Configuration Dumps
When attempting to compare configurations, a natural first step is to dump the settings from each machine and analyze the differences. The dconf dump / command is a powerful tool for exporting configuration details. However, users quickly encounter a significant obstacle: the output from dconf dump is not consistently ordered.
Imagine trying to compare two configuration files using a diff tool like meld. If the entries are in different orders, a simple comparison becomes overwhelmingly complex. A manual, intelligent merge or analysis becomes impractical due to the sheer volume of unordered data. This makes directly comparing raw dconf dump outputs a frustrating endeavor.
Exploring gsettings list-recursively as an Alternative
Recognizing the limitations of dconf dump for direct comparison, gsettings list-recursively emerges as a potentially more manageable alternative. This command generates a list of settings that, unlike dconf dump, can be sorted. Sorting the output allows for a more structured comparison, making it easier to identify discrepancies between configurations.
However, gsettings list-recursively also presents its own challenges. While it provides a sortable list ideal for comparison, it lacks a direct counterpart to dconf load. There isn’t a readily available command like gsettings write-many to directly apply configurations back to the system from this format. This limitation means that while gsettings excels at listing and enabling comparison, it falls short when it comes to directly applying configuration changes based on the comparison results.
Potential Approaches and Existing Tools
To effectively compare computer configurations, several approaches can be considered, leveraging existing tools and techniques:
1. Sorting dconf dump Output
One of the most direct solutions is to sort the output of dconf dump. If the output could be consistently ordered, standard comparison tools would become significantly more effective. While readily available utilities to directly sort dconf dump output might not be immediately apparent, exploring command-line text manipulation tools like sort in combination with scripting could offer a workaround. Further investigation into specialized utilities for handling dconf output could also prove beneficial.
2. Implementing a gsettings write-many Function
The absence of a gsettings write-many function is a notable gap. Such a function, acting as an inverse to gsettings list-recursively, would streamline the process of applying configurations derived from gsettings comparisons. Developing or identifying a script that could process the sorted gsettings list-recursively output and apply settings using individual gsettings set commands could bridge this gap.
3. Format Conversion between gsettings and dconf dump
Converting the gsettings list format into the dconf dump format could offer another pathway. If a reliable conversion method existed, users could leverage the sortable nature of gsettings list-recursively for comparison and then transform the results into a dconf dump compatible format for loading configurations back onto systems using dconf load. This approach would require a robust conversion script or tool to maintain data integrity across formats.
4. Persistent Sorting of dconf dump Lists
Revisiting the idea of sorting dconf dump lists, even without a dedicated utility, remains a viable option. Command-line tools and scripting can be employed to sort the output consistently. The key is to establish a reliable sorting method that ensures identical configurations produce identical sorted outputs, enabling meaningful comparisons.
Conclusion: Navigating Configuration Comparison
Comparing computer configurations in Linux, particularly when using dconf and gsettings, presents a unique set of challenges. While tools like dconf dump and gsettings list-recursively offer valuable insights into system settings, their inherent characteristics require users to explore creative solutions for effective comparison and synchronization.
As highlighted in discussions within the Linux community, achieving seamless configuration synchronization is not always straightforward due to the underlying complexities of dconf and gsettings. However, by focusing on sorting mechanisms, exploring format conversions, and potentially developing scripting solutions, users can overcome the initial hurdles and gain meaningful insights into their computer configurations. For comparing configurations for analysis, leveraging the sortable output of gsettings list-recursively appears to be the most immediately accessible and practical approach. Further exploration and community contributions may lead to more refined tools and workflows for managing and comparing Linux desktop configurations in the future.
