Changing the RESOURCE_MANAGER Property with `xrdb'

The RESOURCE_MANAGER property is a property on the root window that is treated the same way as a resource file by the resource manager.

During a session, the RESOURCE_MANAGER property may be modified by the the xrdb client.

You can use xrdb to load resources into the server's RESOURCE_MANAGER property.

The syntax for xrdb is:

   xrdb options [filename]

Where options are:

-help: Displays a list of options for xrdb.
-display host:display: Specifies the host and display of the server to be loaded with the configuration information.
-query: Displays the current contents of the server's RESOURCE_MANAGER property.
-load path/filename: Specifies that xrdb should load the file named on the command line into the RESOURCE_MANAGER property, overwriting the current resources listed there. This is the default action.
-merge path/filename: Specifies that xrdb should load the file named on the command line into the RESOURCE_MANAGER property, merging the new resources with the current resources instead of overwriting them.
-remove: Removes the current configuration file from the RESOURCE_MANAGER property.
-edit path/filename: Places the contents of the RESOURCE_MANAGER property into the named file, overwriting resources specified there.
-backup string: Specifies a suffix to be appended to the filename used in the -edit option to create a backup file.
-cpp path/filename: Specifies the path and filename of the C preprocessor to use when loading a configuration file containing #ifdef or #includeents. xrdb works with CPP and other preprocessors as long as they accept the -D, -U, and -I options.
-nocpp path/filename: Specifies that xrdb should not use a preprocessor before loading the configuration file (the file contains no statements that need preprocessing).
-symbols: Displays the symbols currently defined for the preprocessor.
-Dname[=value]: Defines a symbol for use with conditional statements in the configuration file used by the RESOURCE_MANAGER property.
-Uname: Removes a defined symbol from the RESOURCE_MANAGER property.
-Ipath/directory: Specifies the search path and directory of #include files used in the RESOURCE_MANAGER.

To add resources interactively:

Execute:
xrdb -merge -nocpp
in a local terminal emulation window.
Type in the resource specifications. Each resource must be on a separate line.
When you've typed all the resources, press CTRL d to merge the resources and restore the shell prompt.

To add resources by typing the resources into a file that is then merged into the database:

Create a file containing the resources you want to add.
Execute:
xrdb -merge -nocpp filename

Changing the RESOURCE_MANAGER Property with `xrdb'

Technical documentation

» Table of Contents

» Glossary

» Index