Support XDG Base Directory Specification

[abhigupta912]

The XDG directory spec outlines a standard, user-configurable set of directories defined as environment variables (with defaults).

https://standards.freedesktop.org/basedir-spec/basedir-spec-latest.html

Please add support for configuration files to be placed in $XDG_CONFIG_HOME

[agraven]

As we try to follow upstream Emacs' behavior as closely as possible, we read and write configuration and data files in the same places that it does. If you want XDG directories, you have to get upstream to go along with it first.

[abhigupta912]

Thank you for the prompt reply.

Looks like there is some progress being made for supporting XDG base directories in emacs.
https://debbugs.gnu.org/cgi/bugreport.cgi?bug=583

[shaleh]

Personally, I want --use-this-config /path/to/config to work (fully no qualifiers). Once we get there, support XDG should be easy enough.

[lhanson]

Personally, I want --use-this-config /path/to/config to work (fully no qualifiers). Once we get there, support XDG should be easy enough.

Those seem like orthogonal concerns. Why would the ability to override a default make it easier to implement a default?

[shaleh]

because having that default would break other people. years of people. So adding an easy way to support both is needed.

[abhigupta912]

The reasons behind asking for XDG base directory support is to:

1. Move all the hidden directories in the user home directory to directories defined by a spec.
2. Allow the user to version control only the config files while keeping all the packages separate.

Spacemacs attempted to support XDG directory spec as part of issue syl20bnr/spacemacs#3589.

Since remacs is a rewrite of emacs, perhaps remacs could adopt a cleaner approach from the start and avoid issues being faced by emacs

Thanks

[shaleh]

I support the idea of this. I simply do not want to force it.

[lhanson]

I'm not sure I understand why any force is required. If files aren't found in the specified locations, fall back to looking for them in their current locations. New users or users who want control over where their data is stored can specify a preference if they want to override defaults, and existing users never need to know that the specification even exists.

[mrwacky42]

Support added in Emacs 27.1!