Development/Tutorials

    From KDE TechBase


    Here is a list of currently available tutorials for developing KDE Applications or KDE Plasma, or using KDE Frameworks to develop a 3rd-party application.

    Basics of how to develop with KDE Frameworks

    Are you interested in writing applications with KDE Frameworks? This tutorial series is aimed at those completely new to it.

    Setting Up
    Before you start writing and building KDE software, you'll need to prepare your tools first.
    Hello World
    An introduction to the very basics of KDE Frameworks programming
    Creating the Main Window
    This tutorial shows you the magic of an application's most important thing: The main window.
    Using Actions
    How to add actions to the menus and toolbars. Based on the MainWindow tutorial.
    Saving and Loading
    Introduces the KIO library while adding loading and saving support to our application.
    Command line arguments
    Adds the ability to specify which file to open from the command line to our text editor.
    Common Programming Mistakes
    Various common mistakes made while developing Qt and KDE applications and how to avoid them.

    Integrating with Workspaces

    Session Management
    Make your application aware of X sessions
    Icons
    Deliver your application with icons that are automatically installed to the right places. Based on the Kaction Tutorial.
    Desktop File
    Let your application show up in the K menu and in application menus. Based on the Icons Tutorial.

    Managing Configuration Data With KConfig

    Introduction To KConfig
    An overview of the KConfig classes and how to use them in your application code
    Using KConfig XT
    Tutorial on how to efficiently use the KConfig XT framework.
    Updating KConfig Files
    Tutorial on how to write an update script to keep changes in your application's config file format in sync with the user's already existing config file

    Services : Applications and Plugins

    Introduction to the Services Framework
    An overview of the services framework in KDE and what it provides the application developer. Covers the system configuration cache (SyCoCa), the source data files and what the indexed information can be used for.
    Finding Services Using Trader Queries
    How to find services, such as plugins or mimetypes, that are indexed in the SyCoCa using Trader Query Syntax
    Creating and Loading Plugins Using KService
    Learn how to define custom plugin types, find installed plugins (including 3rd party plugins) and load them in an easy and portable fashion using KService.

    Localization

    See also Localization portal.

    Introduction To Unicode
    An introduction to what Unicode is as well as how to handle Unicode data in KDE applications.
    Writing Applications With Localization In Mind
    This tutorial covers what localization is, why it's important and how to ensure your application is ready to be localized. A must read for all application developers.
    Avoiding Common Localization Pitfalls
    There are several common mistakes that prevent applications from being properly localized. Find out what they are and how to easily avoid them in this tutorial.
    Building KDE's Localization Module
    Building and installing language support from KDE's localization (l10n) module is a good idea for those working on applications in the main KDE repository. Doing so will allow you to test your application in another language and spot problem areas. Learn how to do just that in this tutorial.
    Incorporating i18n Into the Build System
    Once your application is ready to be localized, the next step is to ensure that translation files are built automatically and kept up to date. This tutorial covers the necessary CMakeFiles.txt additions as well the process of distributing the resulting message catalogs with your application.
    Common i18n Challenges and Solutions
    This tutorial covers challenges that you may eventually run into such as translating handbooks and other data that exists outside of the source code, merging and handling obsolete .po files, dealing with freezes, coding in languages other than English and creating independent releases of or moving applications between KDE modules.
    Semantic Markup of Messages
    To ensure consistent presentation and more meaningful representations of messages in applications, semantic markup can be applied to messages marked for translation using the KUIT system. This tutorial describes how this system works.
    Automated i18n Code Checking
    The Krazy code checker scans KDE's code and reports common i18n mistakes.
    Dealing with Language Changes
    This tutorial covers dealing with changing languages: How to add the function to change the language and then dynamically update the user interface when language has been changed.
    Understanding How Messages Appear to Translators
    An introduction to what context information is extracted (and what isn't) from source code for translators to see.

    Application Automation and Scripting

    D-Bus

    Introduction to D-Bus
    A straight-forward introduction to the core concepts in D-Bus from an application developer's perspective, this tutorial covers what D-Bus is and how it can be used by applications.
    Accessing D-Bus Interfaces
    A step-by-step guide to calling D-Bus methods and connecting to D-Bus signals using QtDBus.
    Intermediate D-Bus
    Tips to make use of QtDBus when faced with problematic real-world interfaces.
    Creating D-Bus Interfaces
    Learn how to expose functionality in your application by creating and using custom D-Bus interfaces. Covers generating the XML descriptions, instantiating interfaces at run time and setting up the build system with CMake.
    Using Custom Types with D-Bus
    Learn how to use your own types in classes exported on D-Bus. Covers marshaling and unmarshaling of objects, the integration of custom types into XML descriptions and registering the custom types with the Qt Meta Object system.
    D-Bus Autostart Services
    Turn your application into a D-Bus autostart service with this tutorial. This D-Bus feature, also known as "D-Bus service activation", will ensure that even when your application isn't running that D-Bus calls made to it will work by relying on the D-Bus daemon itself to start your app if and when needed.

    Dolphin

    Creating Dolphin Service Menus
    This tutorial shows you how to create mimetype-specific actions in Dolphine's context menu (aka "servicemenus").

    Kross

    Introduction to Kross
    An introduction to the Kross Scripting Framework.
    Hello World
    A first application with working kross code.
    Calling Functions in Kross
    Simple demonstration of calling scripting functions
    Connecting Signals and Slots in Kross
    Simple demonstration of connecting object signals with script slots
    Scripts as Plugins with Kross
    This tutorial provides a step-by-step introduction how to integrate scripts as plugins into a KDE application.
    Placing script actions in your application menus
    Simple demonstration on how to extend you application menus to execute script files.
    How to use an ActionCollection
    A small Tutorial on How to use Kross::ActionCollections.

    Calligra Plugin Tutorials

    Calligra Overview
    This document shows an overview of the different Calligra plugin types and tells you what each of their purpose and strengths are. If you are new with Calligra plugins, this is the place to start.
    Calligra Plugin Creation
    This gives a technical overview of what it means to write a Calligra plugin.
    Creating Calligra Flake Plugins
    This tutorial shows you how you can build a plugin for Calligra applications to allow you embed content in ODF documents using Flake.
    Calligra Words Scripting
    This tutorial shows how to script Calligra Words with Python, or JavaScript using Kross.
    Calligra Sheets Scripting
    This tutorial shows how to script Calligra Sheets with Python, or JavaScript using Kross.

    System Activity

    Writing script actions for the process's context menu
    This tutorial shows how to add a context menu action to show custom information about a process.

    KWin

    KWin Scripting Tutorial
    This tutorial shows how to write a useful script for KWin.
    QML Window Switcher Layouts
    This tutorial documents the new QML layouts for the KWin Window Switcher

    Plugins and KParts

    Using KParts
    A kPart is a plugin that you can just load into your application. For example, it is easy to integrate an editor (the katePart) or a console (the konsolePart) into your application's window.
    Writing kontact plugins
    Kontact plugins are KParts. This tutorial describes how you can write one.
    Writing Qt Designer Plugins
    Add your widgets to Qt Designer and thus make them usable in UI files.
    KCM HowTo
    KCM are plugins which are loaded by System Settings to display configuration elements. They can also be used within an application.

    Hardware Awareness (Solid)

    Introduction to Solid
    An introduction to the Solid effort in general and it library in particular.
    Listing Devices
    How to use the Solid core library to discover the hardware and interact with the system.
    Accessing Network Information
    How to use the Solid system to get information about the network
    Creating a Device Action
    When your application is interested in registering actions with the system for removable hardware

    Authorization and Privilege escalation (KAuth)

    KAuth Basics
    An overview of concepts and basic knowledge required to understand and use KAuth effectively
    Using KAuth actions in your application
    How to execute KAuth actions in your application, and how to integrate them tightly into your UI
    Creating a KAuth helper to perform a privileged action
    You will learn how to use KAuth's helpers and escalation facilities, and how to seamlessly make a privileged and non privileged portion of your application interact
    Creating a KCM requiring authorization upon saving
    Learn how to use the high level KCModule API to create KCModules handling authorization, and its UI integration, on their own

    Multimedia (Phonon)

    Phonon
    Introduction to Phonon tells how to compile and run the code. If you like to work in Python, try this version of the same tutorial
    Writing Backends
    How to start creating a new backend for the multimedia API
    Resources
    Please have a look at the online documentation for information on the Phonon API. If you prefer using Qt Assistant or Qt Creator you can also use our offline documentation.

    Plasma 5

    See Plasma tutorials.

    Personal Information Management (Akonadi)

    Using Akonadi in Applications
    Displaying and modifying data provided by Akonadi
    Developing Akonadi Resources
    Akonadi Resources are agent programs which transport PIM data between Akonadi and a backend (files, servers, etc)
    Using custom data types with Akonadi
    Akonadi can handle arbitrary data as item payloads through the use of a plugin based serialization framework

    Kate / KWrite

    Getting started with KTextEditor plugins
    Creating your first KTextEditor plugin
    Developing a plugin with configuration dialog
    Adding a configuration dialog to the Time & Date example
    A small Editor
    Create a small application using KTextEditor

    KDevelop

    Creating a class template
    Instructions for creating a class template, which can be used to quickly generate classes from KDevelop.
    Creating a project template
    Instructions for creating a project template, which can be used for starting new project with KDevelop.
    KDevelop-PG-Qt Introduction
    Information on the KDevelop parser generator, useful for language plugins.

    Printing

    KDE mostly uses the Qt Printing infrastructure.

    Hello World
    Introduction to the KDE printing system

    kioslaves

    Collaboration

    Open Collaboration Services (libattica)

    Introduction to Attica
    In this tutorial a simple widget showing information about a Person on the server is created.

    Get Hot New Stuff

    Get Hot New Stuff 3 - Download
    How to use KHotNewStuff3 in your application.
    Get Hot New Stuff 3 - Checking for Updates
    How to check whether updates for installed stuff are available without showing the dialog/widget.
    Get Hot New Stuff 3 - Upload
    How to add an upload dialog to your application.

    Other programming languages

    Python (PyQt4)

    Note
    The tutorials below apply to an older version of Qt only. While there are stable Python bindings available for Qt 5, bindings for KDE Frameworks 5 are still under development.
    An Introduction to PyQt
    Starting off with an introduction to PyQt4
    Using PyKDE4
    Introduction to PyKDE4
    PyKDE WebKit Tutorial
    A simple web browser application in PyKDE
    101 Introduction to signals and slots
    A simple introduction to Qt's signal and slot architecture.
    PyKDE DBus Tutorial
    An introduction to DBus communication using PyKDE
    PyKDE KNotify Tutorial
    An introduction to Knotify (Notifications and KJobs) using PyKDE

    Ruby

    Note
    The tutorials below apply to an older version of Qt only. There are currently no Ruby bindings for Qt 5 and KDE Frameworks 5 available.
    KDE Ruby Korundum tutorial
    A ruby version of Antonio Larrosa Jiménez's KDE tutorial by Richard Dale. See the Ruby Developers Corner for Qt tutorials and other info.
    Qt4 Ruby Tutorial
    Nokia's fabulous introductory tutorial to Qt, translated to Ruby.
    Creating a Plasma Widget in Ruby
    Tutorial that shows how to create your first Plasma Applet using the Ruby language.
    Developing Qt4 Applications using Qt Designer and Ruby on Kubuntu
    Tutorial that shows how to design a simple User Interface in Qt Designer and then use the resulting widget in a Qt Ruby application we build from scratch.
    Ruby-Qt/KDE Book
    There is also an approach to create an Ruby-Qt/KDE Book under a free license. The content will be created in this wiki.

    Shell

    Shell Scripting with KDE dialogs (Original Link)
    Tutorial by Brad Hards that describes how to use KDE dialogs in shell scripts with kdialog. It is presented as an example based tutorial.

    Graphics Programming

    QPainter Perfomance
    Hints on avoiding common mistakes leading to poor performance when using QPainter
    HiDPI Support
    How to render sharp GUI for HiDPI display
    Migrate Qt Quick Controls 1
    Qt Quick Controls 1 is not supported so please follow the guide to upgrade to Qt Quick Controls 2

    Using the KDE Games Libraries

    KStandardGameAction
    Using libkdegames to make your game fit the kdegames standard
    Highscores
    Implementing a simple highscore table into your game
    Theme Selector
    Using the libkdegames theme selection dialog
    Palapeli Slicers
    Creating a slicer plugin for Palapeli

    Other tutorials

    2D Plotting (KPlotWidget)

    Using the KDE data-plotting widget
    This tutorial introduces KPlotWidget, which is used for 2-D data plotting. It includes information on simple usage of the widget (including adding and modifying data sets, and customizing the plot axes and labels), and advanced customization (including extending the widget through sub-classing).
    Physical Simulation
    How to perform a physical simulation: animation and diagram

    Spelling and Grammar Checking (Sonnet)

    Adding spell-checking or grammar-checking to KDE applications
    This tutorial introduces Sonnet and how one may use it to add language correction to your KDE application. Sonnet's auxiliary features shall be described in a separate tutorial.

    Using the KDE Wallet API for safe storage

    KWallet
    "Brief introduction to the KWallet API which can be used for storing all kinds of sensitive information."

    Deprecated Material

    Warning
    Tutorials in this section are outdated and are no longer relevant to the current state of KDE software. They are being retained here for historical purposes only. Please do not use them.


    Accessibility

    Accessibility Overview
    A list of accessibility tutorials and general information.
    Accessibility Checklist
    What to look for in your application to make it accessible for as many people as possible.
    Screen Reader
    This tutorial will explain some details about using screen readers with KDE applications.
    Text-To-Speech
    How to utilize Jovie text-to-speech service in your application.

    D-Bus

    Porting from DCOP to D-Bus
    Port your applications from DCOP to D-Bus with this handy guide.

    Personal Information Management (Akonadi)

    Porting Applications which use KResource API
    Applications using KDE's now deprecated KResource APIs, e.g. KABC or KCal, need to be ported to use their Akonadi equivalents

    Get Hot New Stuff

    Old links for KNS2 and KNS1 content:

    Introduction to Get Hot New Stuff 2
    A short tutorial about how to use KHotNewStuff2 in your application. Deprecated, use version 3
    Introduction to Get Hot New Stuff
    An introduction to the developer-friendly network update system that allows KDE applications to fetch new application data at runtime in a user friendly manner.
    KNewStuff Secure (Original Link)
    Tutorial showing how to share resources in a secured way (KDE 3.4 and later). By András Mantia <[email protected]>.

    Goya

    Introduction to Goya usage
    An introduction for the Goya subsystem usage, which allows you to easily add widgets to your itemviews and connect their signals to your code, as they were real widgets.
    Introduction to Goya usage (part 2)
    The second part of the tutorial, with a slightly more complex example than the first part.

    Using the KDE PIM Libraries

    iCalendar functionality
    Using kcal to manage iCalendar files

    Pixmap cache (KPixmapCache)

    Using the KDE pixmap cache
    This tutorial shows how to use KPixmapCache to cache e.g. pixmaps generated from SVGs or some data.

    Porting an application from KSystemTrayIcon to KStatusNotifierItem

    Porting from KSystemTrayIcon to KStatusNotifierItem
    This tutorials shows how to port an application using KSystemTrayIcon to KStatusNotifierItem

    How to edit a wiki with Libmediawiki

    Libmediawiki
    This tutorial present how to edit a wiki with Libmediawiki.

    KDE2 and KDE3 Materials

    KDE3 Tutorials
    These tutorials cover topics related to KDE3.
    KDE2 Tutorials
    These tutorials cover topics related to KDE2.