gconf-schemas

Install GConf schema definitions

PARAMETERS

schema-file
Path to one or more .schemas XML files to install

The gconf-schemas command installs or updates schema definitions for the GConf configuration database, used in pre-GNOME 3 desktop environments. GConf provided a hierarchical key-value store for application settings.

It processes one or more .schemas XML files, extracting metadata like key types, default values, and descriptions, then merges this into the system-wide schema repository, usually /etc/gconf/gconf.xml.schemas. This enables applications to validate and retrieve defaults for their config keys.

Typically invoked by package managers post-install (e.g., via %post scripts in RPMs) for GNOME apps. Users rarely run it manually.

Schemas ensure consistent configuration across users and sessions. Without installation, apps may fail to read/write settings properly.

Note: GConf is legacy; modern GNOME uses GSettings/DConf. Command availability varies by distro.

CAVEATS

Deprecated since GNOME 3 (2011); use gsettings/dconf instead. Requires root privileges. Fails if GConf not installed. Ignores invalid schemas silently.

USAGE EXAMPLE

gconf-schemas /usr/share/gconf/schemas/myapp.schemas
Installs schema for 'myapp' package.

EXIT CODES

0 on success; non-zero on parse/install errors.

HISTORY

Introduced ~2000 with GConf 1.0 for GNOME 2. Maintained until ~2011, replaced by GSettings in GNOME 3. Still in some distros for legacy support.