The following pages contain documentation about KDE's design and architecture in detail. They do not replace other documentation like API documentation, tutorials/howtos and standards, see the development portal for further information.

For a better understanding it might help to be familiar with Trolltech's™ excellent Qt 3.3 or Qt 4.3 documentation and their Developer Pages.

More information about a KDE installation itself is available in the dedicated section for system administrators.

[edit] Design Documents

KDE 4 Architecture Overview

An overview of the KDE 4 architecture, including discussions of common techniques, library classes, and general development issues. This is for KDE 4.0.

KDE 3 Architecture Overview (Original)

An overview of the KDE 3 architecture, including discussions of common techniques, library classes, and general development issues. This is for KDE 3.0.

KDE 2 Architecture Overview

An overview of the KDE 2 architecture, similar to the above. This is for KDE 2.2.

DCOP

Design documents from 1999-2000.