Packaging / Distributing KDE applications for Windows – Overview

Currently, several approaches exist towards packaging KDE applications for Windows, and we will try to outline each approach and the steps involved. Which approach (or approaches) you chose will depend on the type of your application, and your personal taste. The main benefits and drawbacks of each approach are listed in the respective sections.

Note that the approaches are not mutually exclusive, and in particular it is probably always a good idea to provide an emerge script.

Distributing as source

Emerge

Emerge allows to build KDE, and assorted other software on Windows from source, very easily. If you are developing KDE apps on Windows, you are probably familiar with it, already (and if you are not, you better take a look). Emerge also forms the basis for package building for the #KDE windows installer.

Advantages

Allows building from source, easily
- Users can use different compilers / settings
Excellent for developers and power users
Basis for KDE windows installer packages

Disadvantages

Compilation takes a long time
Not really suited for end-users
Compilation is broken at times (latest build status)

Procedure

Warning

This section needs improvements: Please help us to

cleanup confusing sections and fix sections which contain a todo

Does documentation exist? Write it/link it!

Take a look at the existing emerge scripts in portage. Probably there is already a project with a similar setup, so you can copy most things.

Distributing as binaries

KDE windows installer

The KDE windows installer is the officially recommended way for end-users to install the KDE SC, in whole or in part.

Advantages

Full package management, including various packages, sources, headers.
Includes update capabilities
Downloads / installs only what is needed
Great if user wants to install a whole collection of KDE apps.

Disadvantages

Centralized? If your package is not part of the official KDE SC, you'll have to nag someone to get it into the installer.
More complex than most other windows installers.
- Arguably too complex for some end users.
- Cumbersome esp. if user wants to install only one specific KDE app.
Needs internet connection

Procedure

Warning

This section needs improvements: Please help us to

cleanup confusing sections and fix sections which contain a todo

Does documentation exist? Write it/link it!

Write an emerge script for your app
???
Profit

Quick and dirty pack

You can simply zip up the files needed for your package, and tell your users to unpack them in the KDE installation root.

Advantages

Should be real easy for you create.

Disadvantages

You'll have to make sure your users understand the fine points, e.g. using the correct type of KDE installation, installing in the correct directory, etc.

Procedure

Use

[mingw32-]make install DESTIR=Some\temporary\folder

Zip up Some\temporary\folder (should contain at least a "bin"-subdirectory).

Distributing as binary including KDE

Installation bundle

KDE on windows is self-contained, i.e. does not rely on the registry, or installed components outside of the main installation directory. This means you can simply zip a KDE installation (including your app) and let the user download and unzip on their system.

Advantages

Easy to package
Easy to install in a single step
Can use a specific setup, including specific version of KDE, specific compiler, customized default settings, etc.

Disadvantages

Need to offer/distribute sources!
Wastes download size, and disk storage, if user want more than just one KDE application.
No easy way to update / extend KDE installation.

Procedure

Warning

This section needs improvements: Please help us to

cleanup confusing sections and fix sections which contain a todo

Properly list the steps from that mail, and the comments from the thread in this section.

See http://lists.kde.org/?l=kde-windows&m=127499109727979&w=2 .

Custom binary installers

Custom (NSIS) installer

Of course developers can create a fully custom installer for their app, e.g. based on NSIS.

Advantages

Can potentially cover all situations, if sufficiently refined

Disadvantages

Considerable effort to create and maintain the installer

Procedure

Your installer should write its own kde.conf file on installation, to separate your (KDE) settings from other possible installations on that system
There is a NSIS package base in emerge that can be used to generate a NSIS package directly from emerge. For examples on NSIS packaging check the emerge/portage/package files.
For documentation on NSIS, see http://nsis.sourceforge.net .
One NSIS template is discussed at http://lists.kde.org/?l=kde-windows&m=127569323809833&w=2 .

Further info

Deploying a Qt Application on Windows (qt-project.org)