Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- built_file_manager [2021/12/24 11:02] – [Symlinks] clarification about deleting symlinks atari
+++ built_file_manager [2023/07/10 07:45] (current) – add example of symlinking to batocera atari
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Built-in File Manager ======
-Batocera features a built-in file manager that can be accessed by pressing ''[F1]'' on the keyboard on the main system list (as of right now, PC-only).
+Batocera features a built-in file manager that can be accessed by pressing ''[F1]'' on the keyboard on the main system list (as of right now, PC and RPi4-only).
 Quit the file manager with ''[Ctrl]'' + ''[Q]'', ''[Alt]'' + ''[F4]'' or click **File** -> **Close Window**.
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===== Overview =====
-Often overlooked but a crucial piece of software in some cases. Batocera uses the lightweight [[https://wiki.lxde.org/en/PCManFM|PCMan file manager]].
+Often overlooked but a crucial piece of software in some cases. Batocera uses the lightweight [[https://web.archive.org/web/20220416080710/https://wiki.lxde.org/en/PCManFM|PCMan file manager]].
 {{:emulators:pcman_file_manager.jpg?1080|}}
@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 ===== Symlinks =====
-Symlinks can be used to effectively create shortcuts, but better yet, make the system believe a single folder/file exists in two different places despite it only taking up the space of the single file on the physical drive!
+Symlinks, short for symbolic links, can be used to effectively create shortcuts, but better yet, make the system believe a single folder/file exists in two different places despite it only taking up the space of the single file on the physical drive! The only caveat is that symlinks are supported only on modern(ish) file systems: you can't use symlinks if you drive is formatted in FAT32 or exFAT.
 You can create symlinks like so:
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 <WRAP center round important>
-Symlinks are incredibly powerful, and can be used to do zany stuff like linking folders in from other drives. Using this, you could have a ''roms/'' directory in which all the systems are symlinked to folders on their own separate hard-drive! But remember, all this power comes with responsibility: the more complicated you make your symlinks, the more complicated it is to maintain them and remember where they all point to and what drives they are dependent on.
+Symlinks are incredibly powerful, and can be used to do zany stuff. But remember, all this power comes with responsibility: the more complicated you make your symlinks, the more complicated it is to maintain them and remember where they all point to and what drives they are dependent on.
+Batocera is not tested against the usage of symlinks, you use them at your own risk. Always make backups of your data.
 </WRAP>
 Deleting a symlink will not delete the original folder/file, even if the prompt might make it seem so.
+==== Symlink another drive to Batocera ====
+The above example showcased how to make Batocera's folders accessible from another location, but what if you wanted to do the opposite? That is, have Batocera access folders in other locations. This can even work for other drives entirely (provided they also use a file system which supports symlinks)!
+<WRAP center round important>
+Using this, you could have a ''roms/'' directory in which all the systems are symlinked to folders on their own separate hard-drive! But remember the warning from above, use symlinks at your own risk, and backup your data.
+</WRAP>
+  - In the Batocera userdata drive, rename the folder you want to replace to something different. For this example, we'll be replacing the ''library'' folder, so let's rename it to ''library-old''.\\ {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h02.56.png?600|}} {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h03.20.png?600|}}
+  - Navigate to the secondary drive you want to have Batocera check in and create a new folder with the name of the folder you intend to replace.\\ {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h00.33.png?600|}} {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h01.35.png?600|}}
+  - Select the newly created folder, and then go to **Edit** -> **Create Link...**\\ {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h03.39.png?600|}} {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h04.00.png?600|}}
+  - Navigate to the original folder on Batocera's userdata partition, and click **OK**.\\ {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h04.40.png?600|}}
+  - That's it! Now this folder linked to a folder on another drive will be accessed by Batocera instead of the regular one in userdata!\\ {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h04.54.png?600|}} {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h05.04.png?600|}} {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h05.32.png?600|}} {{:screenshot-2023.07.10-17h05.39.png?600|}}