Q: is it possible to use `update-alternatives` with bob?

[rsb177]

Normally, i change my default editor via update-alternatives to neovim. I decided to try using bob to manage neovim for me, but when I tried setting vi to the nvim executable from bob, it acts like I just ran bob instead. Is there a way to do this via update-alternatives, or should i just alias instead?

[MordechaiHadad]

I have no idea what's update-alternatives

[rsb177]

basically, a way to manage things like which editor I want to use when I type vi. Man Page Overview

[MordechaiHadad]

I see, can you show me how you set it up? Bob uses a proxy executable, if you rename bob to nvim it will execute neovim rather than bob.

[rsb177]

I just ran sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/vi vi /home/rsb177/.local/share/bob/nvim-bin/nvim 100. It looks like since it's a proxy executable, if I set up a symbolic link to it (as any name other than nvim), it'll always run bob. Was able to replicate this by just using simple symbolic links. So it looks like I'll need to stick with just using aliases if I want to use nvim for commands like vi, view, etc.

[MordechaiHadad]

@rsb177 what name does the update-alternatives gives the executable?

[rsb177]

in the case of the command above, it shows up as vi

[MordechaiHadad]

oh, I guess you will have to alias it as you suggested :( due to bob using proxy to execute nvim.