found no way to manage Log files / Dynamic Files (whose content are changing continuously )

[nitrogenxx]

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude for the incredible project that you have developed. Your efforts have helped me overcome numerous challenges, and I cannot thank you enough for your hard work.

Currently, I am facing a minor issue related to the project's documentation, which I'm sure is already addressed in it. I am trying to manage an XML file in my Linux machine, but I want to ignore every change made by the operating system. Specifically, when I run $ chezmoi apply, it shouldn't show .config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml has changed since chezmoi last wrote it? diff/overwrite/all-overwrite/skip/quit.

I have attempted to implement a solution where, if the file exists, it is ignored, and if it does not exist, it is added to the specified location. However, I am encountering an issue with the fileExists function not being defined. Here's the code I tried:

{{if fileExists "`.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml "}}
         .config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml 
{{end}}

The error message I receive is: chezmoi: template: /home/t/.local/share/chezmoi/.chezmoiignore:17: function "fileExists" not defined.

the only content of the file in which i only want to track changes
.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<channel name="thunar" version="1.0">
  <property name="last-show-hidden" type="bool" value="true"/>
  <property name="misc-show-delete-action" type="bool" value="true"/>
</channel>

but after some time OS made changes to the file and this becomes this

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<channel name="thunar" version="1.0">
  <property name="last-show-hidden" type="bool" value="true"/>
  <property name="misc-show-delete-action" type="bool" value="true"/>
  <property name="last-view" type="string" value="ThunarIconView"/>
  <property name="last-icon-view-zoom-level" type="string" value="THUNAR_ZOOM_LEVEL_100_PERCENT"/>
  <property name="last-window-width" type="int" value="1596"/>
  <property name="last-window-height" type="int" value="869"/>
  <property name="last-window-maximized" type="bool" value="false"/>
  <property name="last-separator-position" type="int" value="170"/>
  <property name="last-details-view-zoom-level" type="string" value="THUNAR_ZOOM_LEVEL_38_PERCENT"/>
  <property name="last-details-view-visible-columns" type="string" value="THUNAR_COLUMN_DATE_MODIFIED,THUNAR_COLUMN_NAME,THUNAR_COLUMN_SIZE,THUNAR_COLUMN_TYPE"/>
"/>
  <property name="last-details-view-column-widths" type="string" value="50,50,128,50,50,179,50,50,954,50,50,78,50,86"/>

where numeric values are changing continuously and it show me the message that file has been changes

Additionally, I'm also wondering if it's possible to only track changes made to a specific line or word of code within the XML file. I believe it could be achieved through the use of template, run_once_, or modify_, or some other way but I'm not entirely sure how to implement this.

I have thoroughly reviewed the project documentation, which is incredibly well-written, but due to my limited understanding of Go, I'm having difficulty comprehending how to implement these changes. Any assistance you can provide in resolving this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for your hard work and dedication to this project. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

[twpayne]

Thanks for the kind words.

The fileExists function you are looking for is called stat.

For your use case, it is likely that a modify_ script would be the best solution.

[nitrogenxx]

I'm so grateful of your gratitude. You're truly an inspiration to me : )

[halostatue]

I have attempted to implement a solution where, if the file exists, it is ignored, and if it does not exist, it is added to the specified location. However, I am encountering an issue with the fileExists function not being defined. Here's the code I tried:

{{if fileExists ".config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml" }}
         .config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml 
{{end}}

The function you’re looking for is stat, which returns null if the file does not exist.

{{ if stat (joinPath .chezmoi.homeDir ".config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml") }}
.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml
{{ end }}

the only content of the file in which i only want to track changes .config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<channel name="thunar" version="1.0">
  <property name="last-show-hidden" type="bool" value="true"/>
  <property name="misc-show-delete-action" type="bool" value="true"/>
</channel>

Nominally this could be done with a modify script, but because the state gets stored you’re always going to get a "this file has been modified" warning, so I’d recommend doing it with an after_ script that uses xmlstarlet. Something like:

#! /usr/bin/env bash

set -euo pipefail

declare thunar
thunar="${HOME}/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml"
# This should *probably* be "${XDG_CONFIG_HOME}/xfce4/…", but expanded out for now.

if [[ -s "${thunar}" ]]; then
  xmlstarlet ed --inplace -P \
    --update '//channel/property[@name="last-show-hidden"]/@value' --value true \
    --update '//channel/property[@name="misc-show-delete-action"]/@value' --value true \
    "${thunar}"
else
  cat >"${thunar}" <<EOF
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<channel name="thunar" version="1.0">
  <property name="last-show-hidden" type="bool" value="true"/>
  <property name="misc-show-delete-action" type="bool" value="true"/>
</channel>
EOF

[nitrogenxx]

{{ if stat (joinPath .chezmoiHomeDir ".config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml") }}
.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/thunar.xml
{{ end }}

correction .chezmoi.homeDir

I just wanted to give you a shoutout and say a big THANK YOU for your awesome help. Your solution totally rocked and made my day!

[halostatue]

Thanks. It gave me an excuse to learn xmlstarlet. I think that I still prefer jq, but…