Dead Simple Way To Check Wayland Protocol Support!

Summary

The video discusses the complexities of determining supported Wayland protocols on compositors outside of GNOME and KDE. It introduces Waycheck, a tool that lists both supported and unsupported protocols, including their status as unstable, staging, or stable. The script highlights the tool's evolution, its comprehensiveness, and its utility for users experimenting with different Wayland compositors. The presenter also suggests potential enhancements, such as a CLI interface or a text dump of protocols, and encourages viewers to share their experiences with the app.

Takeaways

• 🔍 **Wayland Protocols Support**: It can be challenging to determine which Wayland protocols are supported by different compositors, especially those outside of GNOME and KDE.
• 🛠️ **Beyond Core Protocols**: While the core protocols generally work without issues, more specialized features like screen lockers or alternative video capture methods require additional protocols.
• 📚 **Documentation Gaps**: Documentation on supported protocols is often outdated or non-existent, making it difficult for users to know what's available.
• 🆕 **Waycheck Utility**: Waycheck is a tool that lists both supported and unsupported Wayland protocols, providing clarity for users and developers.
• 📈 **Evolution of Waycheck**: Since its initial release, Waycheck has expanded to include more compositor categories and now provides information on protocol stability.
• 🔍 **Search Functionality**: Waycheck allows users to search for specific protocols and filter results to show only supported or unsupported ones.
• 📊 **Protocol Status**: An additional feature in Waycheck is the display of protocol status (unstable, staging, stable), which is crucial for developers.
• 📱 **UI Redesign**: Waycheck has undergone a complete UI rewrite, enhancing its usability and making it a more valuable tool for Wayland users.
• 🤔 **Protocol Inclusion Debate**: There's a discussion on whether to include all protocols, even those specific to certain compositors, for absolute completeness or to focus on widely implemented ones.
• 💻 **Practical Use Case**: For users who experiment with different Wayland compositors and applications, Waycheck is a practical tool to ensure compatibility and functionality.
• 📝 **Desired Features**: The presenter suggests potential enhancements like a CLI interface or a text dump feature for easy parsing of protocol data.

Q & A

What is the main challenge when using a new Wayland compositor outside of GNOME and KDE?

The main challenge is determining which Wayland protocols are supported, as documentation is often outdated or non-existent.

Why is it important to know the supported protocols for a Wayland compositor?

Knowing supported protocols is crucial for implementing features like screen lockers or alternative video capture methods that may require specific protocols not covered by the core protocol set.

What is Waycheck and how does it help with Wayland protocol support?

Waycheck is an application that lists both supported and unsupported Wayland protocols, helping users to quickly identify available features and troubleshoot compatibility issues.

How does Waycheck display the status of protocols?

Waycheck indicates the status of protocols as unstable, staging, or stable, providing users with insight into the maturity and reliability of each protocol.

What additional information does Waycheck provide for each protocol?

Waycheck provides the human-readable name, internal identifier, and interface version for each protocol, along with tooltips for further clarification.

How has Waycheck evolved since its initial release?

Waycheck has expanded to include more categories and compositor support, and it has undergone a complete UI rewrite for improved usability.

What are some examples of protocols that might be missing from Waycheck?

Protocols like Wayland DRM, AGL shell, and virtual keyboard unstable might be missing if they are no longer supported or are very specific to certain compositors.

Why is it suggested to have absolute completeness in listing protocols in Waycheck?

Absolute completeness ensures that all protocols, even those not commonly used, are accounted for, which is helpful for users exploring various compositors and their capabilities.

What is the issue with the flatpak version of Waycheck mentioned in the script?

The flatpak version of Waycheck does not recognize the user's compositor, which is a significant limitation compared to the regular version.

What feature is suggested for Waycheck to enhance its utility further?

A CLI interface or a way to export a raw text dump of all protocols would be beneficial for users who want to parse the data programmatically.

How can users install and use Waycheck?

Waycheck is available on various platforms and can be installed through package managers or as a flatpak. Users can use it to check protocol support and troubleshoot issues with their compositor.