Getting Started

Getting_Started

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Choose version
Choose method of build
Troubleshoot
Use and Test / switch between versions for use
contribute your development back to the system

Overview

Getting the Source

Anonymous SVN Quickstart Guide
Using Subversion with KDE A more in depth look at accessing KDE source code with subversion, including the repository layout and working with revisions and patches.
Amarok Git Tutorial Amarok has moved to Git (with the rest of KDE to follow), so it requires different steps to check out and develop.
Daily Snapshots
Browse code online, or search the code

Choose Version and Build Method

There are different KDE branches with different build requirements. For production use, we recommend using a stable version of KDE. You will probably want the latest stable version for which you have the prerequisites.

The TRUNK is the main branch where new features (and prerequisites) are added.

The steps to build most branches are very similar. You can configure kdesrc-build to build most versions. Need link to build kde3 versions

Troubleshooting information is similar between branches as well.

Also consider Project Neon, where you may be able to download recent-enough Trunk Kubuntu packages and build enviornment.

Reading up on CMake may also be of interest.

Manual Steps

KDE 4 (Development version, TRUNK)
KDE 4.x (Stable version or 4.x SVN BRANCH)
Upgrade KDE-4.4.x release version or KDE-4.4 SVN BRANCH)
Other versions and FAQ Including information for building on non-linux systems

Troubleshooting the build

Troubleshooting

Compile and Linking errors are frequent sources of discouragement. make careful note of the first occurrence of an error in your build process. It could be as simple as a bad environment variable, an unexpected version of a library or missing prerequisite. Please review your logs and do searches for fixes. If you cannot find a solution, try: Build/KDE4/Errors and IRC channel.

Setting up the Environment

After KDE has been built, you'll want a good way to launch apps and perform your regular development tasks:

Contribution

You may not need the latest bleeding-edge KDE to develop with, Much code will be similiar between versions and your patch might work, however Trunk is where major changes are introduced, and branches are mostly maintenance/bug fix.