---
name: "update-catalog"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "sgml-base"
version: "1.31+nmu1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/update-catalog"
---

# update-catalog(8)

create or update entry in SGML catalog file

## NAME

update-catalog - create or update entry in SGML catalog file

## SYNOPSIS

**update-catalog** \[*options*\] **--add** *centralized\_catalog ordinary\_catalog*

**update-catalog** \[*options*\] **--remove** *centralized\_catalog ordinary\_catalog*

**update-catalog** \[*options*\] **--update-super**

## DESCRIPTION

**update-catalog** inserts, updates or removes entries in the  SGML centralized catalogs located in */etc/sgml*. To change the SGML super catalog located in */etc/sgml/catalog* modify the directory contents of */etc/sgml* to contain new files or symbolic links having a **.cat** extension or remove (or move) existing centralized catalogs and regenerate the super catalog using the **--update-super** option. See section **SUPER CATALOG** for details on the generation process.

## OPTIONS

- **--add**

  Adds an entry for the *ordinary\_catalog* in the *centralized\_catalog*.

- **--remove**

  Removes the entry for the *ordinary\_catalog* from the *centralized\_catalog*.

- **--update-super**

  Regenerates the SGML super catalog from the contents of the */etc/sgml* directory. See section **SUPER CATALOG** for details on the super catalog generation.

- **--quiet**

  Prevents the usual diagnostic output.

- **--test**

  Prevents the update of the catalog and writes the resulting SGML catalog to standard output.

- **--version**

  Displays the version information and exits.

- **--help**

  Display the usage information and exits.

## SUPER CATALOG

The super-catalog located in */etc/sgml/catalog* cannot be directly modified. It is generated by the *update-catalog* *--update-super* command. The generation considers files in the */etc/sgml* directory that have a **.cat** extension. For instance files ending in .old or .disabled are not considered. Before adding a catalog to the super catalog it is parsed and verified in order to not corrupt the super catalog. All referenced catalogs are verified to actually exist. If the check fails, a message is printed and the complete catalog is ignored. This check ensures that a catalog from a package, which is removed but not purged, is removed from the super catalog.

## AUTHOR

Ardo van Rangelrooij \<ardo@debian.org\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2001-2004 Ardo van Rangelrooij Copyright © 2012 Helmut Grohne

This is free software; see the GNU General Public Licence version 2 or later for copying conditions.  There is *no* warranty.