Editing .desktop file to run executable as root?

c linux ubuntu debian xfce
user1764386 picture user1764386 · May 6, 2014 · Viewed 10.7k times · Source

I have compiled a c program into an executable that I would now like to integrate into the applications menu in Debian 7.4 XFCE. In order to run the application under normal circumstances, I am required to type

sudo myprogram

Now I have created my .desktop file and placed it in /usr/share/applications

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=myprogram
Comment=configuration loader
Exec=sudo loader
Icon=/usr/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/myprogram.png
Terminal=false
Categories=Development;IDE

The item is added to my applications menu as expected, and the icon shows up properly. The problem, however, is that double clicking the menu item to launch the application does nothing.

If I navigate to /usr/bin (where I have placed my executable) and type "sudo myprogram", the program launches as expected.

What can I do to fix this issue and get the program to launch from the menu? Perhaps /usr/bin is not the correct place to put it, or I have the incorrect Exec command. I greatly appreciate the help.

Answer

user1764386 picture user1764386 · May 6, 2014

I ended up using (after installing gksu)

Exec = gksu myprogram

this launches a graphical sudo prompt, which is sufficient for my needs.

Related questions

gcc /usr/bin/ld: error: cannot find -lncurses

I am running Ubuntu 12.04 and I'm currently working on a project involving C, OpenGL, a teapot and input methods. The problem started when I decided to have arrow keys as input. I checked to see the key codes for arrow …

Read More
Clang Error - stddef file not found?

After upgrading to Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy", Clang now gives me the error message: clang -Wall -Werror -std=c99 -ggdb -O0 5.1.c -o 5.1 In file included from 5.1.c:1: /usr/include/stdio.h:33:11: fatal error: 'stddef.h' file not found # include <stddef.…

Read More
Make a program run slowly

Is there any way to run a C++ program slower by changing any OS parameters in Linux? In this way I would like to simulate what will happen if that particular program happens to run on a real slower machine. …

Read More