Getting Started

Getting_Started

Choose Version Method and Location

KDE versions are split into branches off of the Trunk. The steps to build most branches are very similar. However, Each branch has different prerequisites.

Version

For production use, we recommend using a stable version of KDE. You may be able to do just fine with your distribution packages.

If you need to build it yourself You will probably want the latest stable version for which you have the ,prerequisites or build requirementsfor your distribtion.

For developers, The TRUNK is the main branch where new features (and prerequisites) are added, however it can be difficult to keep up with.

Location

It is possible to install KDE in a variety of ways. Actual instructions for installation are determined by the method, however much is common between methods and reading all may be helpful.

system-wide

on development builds, do it to test KDM and other system level KDE functionality. Obviously desired for production use. If you are just testing KDM, you may want to use a virtual machine so you do not damage a production system.

your home directory

Useful on development machines, or if you have no other access to the machine, however it can be confusing to set environment variables, however there are other advantages. and some scripts to help you use it.

development user home

This is a common way to do it so that it does not interefere with the rest of your system. A common user name is kde-devel

Method

Reading up on CMake may also be of interest.

distribution specific

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

kdesrc-build

This script will do most of the downloading and compiling for you. There are good instructions at http://kdesrc-build.kde.org

You can configure kdesrc-build to build most versions.

You will likely want to choose a recent branch
If you choose a branch, you will have to tweak the kdeSupport module description in the .kdesrc-buildrc

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

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

Troubleshooting the build

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting information is similar between branches as well.

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, Build/KDE4/Errors and IRC channel, and mailing lists.

Using your KDE

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

Setting up Enviornment

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.