How to install the latest biber in TEXMF through command line? - TeX

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How to install the latest biber in TEXMF through command line?

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निरंजन

The developmental version of `biblatex`+`biber` i.e. (v3.17-dev) has the lbx files for Marathi and I frequently need them. `biblatex` has a shell-script to install a specified version to the TEXMF, but I am struggling to find something similar for `biber`. I don't want GUI stuff, I would like to have something script-based. Also my question is primarily about the installation process of `biber` on GNU/Linux systems, but answers for other systems are also welcome.

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Skillmon replying to निरंजन

The distinction is pretty simple really: Things you want to `\input`/`\include`/`\usepackage` etc. have to be either in the same folder, be called by the complete path, or reside in (one of) your TEXMF. Programs you want to have in your PATH, not in your TEXMF.

निरंजन replying to Skillmon

Okay, I'll remember this.

Skillmon

Just because this hasn't been explicitly pointed out yet: You don't need to install `biber` inside your TEXMF, as the biber executable is nothing that needs to be called/found from within TeX.

निरंजन replying to Skillmon

Cool! Thanks a lot :)

Skillmon replying to निरंजन

just took a look in their git, it is indeed just a Perl script, nothing you need to compile. If you're using a Unix and have a Perl installation you should be able to just execute the `bin/biber` file (it contains a shebang). And if in doubt, you could use `perl biber <file>` as well.

Skillmon

(so there should be no binary but a script in the bin folder...)

Skillmon replying to निरंजन

afaik, Perl is an interpreted language.

निरंजन replying to samcarter

but is it a ready-to-use binary or a program which needs to be compiled with perl?

samcarter replying to निरंजन

yes, I think the executable from the bin folder needs perl to be installed. But assuming, you can install perl on your computer, you should be able to use it, no?

निरंजन replying to samcarter

I don't think it's that simple. The readme says,  
  
> You only need a Perl installation to use biber in one of the following cases:
> * A binary version is not available for your OS/platform.
> * You wish to keep up with all of the bleeding-edge git commits before they are packaged into a binary.  
  
I think my case is the second one.

samcarter

clone the github repo https://github.com/plk/biber and add the bin folder to your path or copy it to your texmf folder?

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