Get Involved/development: Difference between revisions
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= Becoming a KDE Developer = | |||
[[File:Konqui dev close cropped.png|right|x200px|]] | [[File:Konqui dev close cropped.png|right|x200px|]] | ||
By joining the ranks of KDE developers, you will get to implement new features and defeat daunting bugs, all while collaborating to make coherent and stable releases. Developers collaborate in teams based on what area they are working in. These can be small teams working on a single application, up to large teams working on group of related pieces of software. Many developers are in more than one team. | By joining the ranks of KDE developers, you will get to implement new features and defeat daunting bugs, all while collaborating to make coherent and stable releases. Developers collaborate in teams based on what area they are working in. These can be small teams working on a single application, up to large teams working on group of related pieces of software. Many developers are in more than one team. | ||
KDE runs or participates in several mentoring programs to help new developers, including an informal list of people who are willing to help newcomers get started. See the [[Mentoring]] page for more details. | KDE runs or participates in several mentoring programs to help new developers, including an informal list of people who are willing to help newcomers get started. See the [[Mentoring]] page for more details. | ||
= Choosing what to do = | |||
A good place to start is with a small bug or feature in an existing piece of software that affects you personally ("scratch your own itch"). Get in touch with the existing developers (see [[#Communicating with the team|Communicating with the team]], below) and they can help you out, by pointing you to the right place in the code and giving advice about how to tackle the problem. | A good place to start is with a small bug or feature in an existing piece of software that affects you personally ("scratch your own itch"). Get in touch with the existing developers (see [[#Communicating with the team|Communicating with the team]], below) and they can help you out, by pointing you to the right place in the code and giving advice about how to tackle the problem. | ||
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* [https://bugs.kde.org/buglist.cgi?bug_status=UNCONFIRMED&bug_status=NEW&bug_status=ASSIGNED&bug_status=REOPENED&keywords=junior-jobs&list_id=1340815 Junior Jobs] are small tasks that are suitable for beginners (both bugs and features) | * [https://bugs.kde.org/buglist.cgi?bug_status=UNCONFIRMED&bug_status=NEW&bug_status=ASSIGNED&bug_status=REOPENED&keywords=junior-jobs&list_id=1340815 Junior Jobs] are small tasks that are suitable for beginners (both bugs and features) | ||
* [https://bugs.kde.org/buglist.cgi?bug_status=UNCONFIRMED&bug_status=CONFIRMED&bug_status=ASSIGNED&bug_status=REOPENED&keywords=usability&keywords_type=allwords&list_id=1493316&order=product%2Cchangeddate%20DESC%2Cbug_status%20DESC%2Cresolution%2Cpriority%2Cassigned_to%2Cbug_id&query_format=advanced Bugs related to] KDE's [https://phabricator.kde.org/T6831 Usability & Productivity initiative], many of which are small and easy | |||
* [http://www.englishbreakfastnetwork.org/ The English Breakfast Network] searches out simple, common issues in code that should be fixed, and going through the problems on there can provide a good overview of the code | * [http://www.englishbreakfastnetwork.org/ The English Breakfast Network] searches out simple, common issues in code that should be fixed, and going through the problems on there can provide a good overview of the code | ||
== | = New to (C++/Qt) software development? = | ||
Most KDE software is written in C++ using the [https://www.qt.io Qt framework]. There are many guides to C++ online, and which one works for you will depend on how you learn best and what previous programming experience you have. | |||
For learning Qt, you can find [https://wiki.qt.io/Books a list of books for learning Qt] on the Qt wiki. Qt also provides [http://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qtexamplesandtutorials.html lots of examples] you can look at. | |||
Most KDE software is also built on other KDE software, particularly the KDE Frameworks. The [https://techbase.kde.org TechBase wiki] has documentation about using these libraries, and a [[Books | book]] is available. See also [[Guidelines and HOWTOs/Development]]. | |||
= Get the code = | |||
* | First you will need to use your distro's package manager to install some basic tools: | ||
* Debian/Ubuntu/KDE Neon: <tt>sudo apt install git cmake</tt> | |||
* Fedora: <tt>sudo dnf install git cmake</tt> | |||
* openSUSE: <tt>sudo zypper install git cmake</tt> | |||
* Arch/Antergos/Manjaro: <tt>sudo pacman -S git cmake</tt> | |||
Next, create a folder to hold all the source code repositories you're going to be downloading! | |||
<pre> | |||
mkdir ~/repos | |||
cd ~/repos | |||
</pre> | |||
Now download the source code for the project you would like to work on. All the KDE git repositories can be found at [https://cgit.kde.org/ here]. If you are not familiar with [https://git-scm.com/ Git], the [https://git-scm.com/book Git Book] is a good introduction. For now, just clone the repo: | |||
<pre> | |||
git clone https://anongit.kde.org/<repository-name>.git | |||
</pre> | |||
== | = Set up your development environment = | ||
Next you will need to download the dependencies for the project you would like to patch, so that it will compile. The way to do this varies heavily according to your distro: | |||
'''Recommended development platforms''' | |||
* KDE Neon: <tt>sudo apt install <repo/package name></tt> | |||
* openSUSE Tumbleweed: <tt>sudo zypper si -d <repo/package name></tt> | |||
* Arch/Antergos/Manjaro/other Arch-based distro: <tt>sudo pacman -S git <repo/package name></tt> | |||
'''Development platforms that can work if you upgrade to use newer packages''' | |||
These platforms can work If you install newer versions of KDE frameworks, or else things won't build. | |||
* Fedora: [Insert method of updating KDE packages here] <tt>sudo dnf builddep <repo/package name></tt> | |||
* Kubuntu: First install the Kubuntu Backports PPA to get the latest versions of KDE Software. (Warning: this will also update Plasma and KDE Applications): <tt>sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports && sudo apt update</tt>. Then you can run <tt>sudo apt install <repo/package name></tt> | |||
Before you work on your patch, try to compile the software to make sure that your development environment is set up properly: | |||
<pre> | |||
mkdir build | |||
cd build | |||
cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/opt/kde/ | |||
make | |||
</pre> | |||
(Notice how we are telling CMake to install to <tt>/opt/kde/</tt> instead of <tt>/usr/</tt> (which is the normal location). This is because we don't want to overwrite the software provided by your distro, which could destabilize the system. | |||
Did the project compile? Great! Move onto the next section. If you ran into problems, See this page for what to do about it. | |||
= Make your patch = | |||
Now you can open your editor and get hacking! As before, make sure it compiles: | |||
<pre> | |||
make | make | ||
make install | </pre> | ||
= Test your patch = | |||
At this point you have a patch, and the project still compiles. Now it's time to run the project's unit tests: | |||
<pre> | |||
make test | |||
</pre> | |||
If any test fail, that needs to be investigated before you can proceed. If the tests pass, then it's time to install your patched software: | |||
<pre> | |||
sudo make install | |||
</pre> | |||
This will install the software to <tt>/opt/kde/</tt>. To actually run it, you will need to set some environment variables to account for the non-standard location. First, create a file with the environment variables: | |||
<pre> | |||
cat >~/.kderc << EOF | |||
export KF5=/opt/kde | |||
export QTDIR=/usr | |||
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=$KF5:$CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH | |||
export XDG_DATA_DIRS=$KF5/share:$XDG_DATA_DIRS:/usr/share | |||
export XDG_CONFIG_DIRS=$KF5/etc/xdg:$XDG_CONFIG_DIRS:/etc/xdg | |||
export PATH=$KF5/bin:$QTDIR/bin:$PATH | |||
export QT_PLUGIN_PATH=$KF5/lib/plugins:$KF5/lib64/plugins:$KF5/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/plugins:$QTDIR/plugins:$QT_PLUGIN_PATH | |||
export QML2_IMPORT_PATH=$KF5/lib/qml:$KF5/lib64/qml:$KF5/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qml:$QTDIR/qml | |||
export QML_IMPORT_PATH=$QML2_IMPORT_PATH | |||
export KDE_SESSION_VERSION=5 | |||
export KDE_FULL_SESSION=true | |||
export SASL_PATH=/usr/lib/sasl2:$KF5/lib/sasl2 | |||
EOF | |||
</pre> | |||
Now <tt>source</tt> it to pick up the new environment variables: | |||
<pre> | |||
source ~/.kderc | |||
</pre> | |||
Now you're ready to run your patched program! | |||
<pre> | |||
/opt/kde/bin/<the program> | |||
</pre> | |||
Does it Behave as you expect? If not, Go back and work on your patch some more, then re-compile and re-deploy, and test again, until the program does what you'd like it to do. | |||
= Submitting your first patch = | |||
Once you're happy with your patch and have verified that it does what you want, you need to send it to other KDE developers for review. KDE uses [https://phabricator.kde.org Phabricator] for this. [[Infrastructure/Phabricator | Learn how to submit a patch with Phabricator]] | |||
= | = Communicating with the team = | ||
There are several ways to get in touch with KDE developers, and developers for a specific project. The two most important are: | |||
* the IRC channel [irc://irc.kde.org/kde-devel <nowiki>#kde-devel</nowiki>] on [http://freenode.net/ the freenode network] ([http://kde.org/support/#irc learn more about IRC]) is the core channel for developers | |||
* The primary development mailing list is the [https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde-devel kde-devel list] ([http://kde.org/support/#mailinglists learn more about mailing lists]) | |||
Both of these are general KDE development communication channels, and you may get directed to a more appropriate place for the project you are interested in. There is a [http://www.kde.org/mailinglists/ list of mailing lists] if you want to find a mailing list for a specific team directly. Many teams have their own [[Telegram]] rooms, too. | |||
You can also try looking for the team's section on the [[Main Page]] of this wiki. Many teams have information there for new contributors. | |||
After you have had several patches accepted, a KDE developer is likely to suggest you get a [[Infrastructure/Get a Developer Account|Developer account]], which will allow you to commit directly to KDE projects. | == Next steps == | ||
After you have had several patches accepted, a KDE developer is likely to suggest you get a [[Infrastructure/Get a Developer Account|Developer account]], which will allow you to commit directly to KDE projects. With very few limits on where you can commit, you will be expected to act responsibly. At this point, congratulations! You are officially a KDE developer! | |||
You may also want to set up a more permanent or advanced development environment, which will be very handy to start working on KDE Frameworks or Plasma itself. See [[Guidelines and HOWTOs/Build from source]] | You may also want to set up a more permanent or advanced development environment, which will be very handy to start working on KDE Frameworks or Plasma itself. See [[Guidelines and HOWTOs/Build from source]] |
Revision as of 19:11, 8 February 2018
Becoming a KDE Developer
By joining the ranks of KDE developers, you will get to implement new features and defeat daunting bugs, all while collaborating to make coherent and stable releases. Developers collaborate in teams based on what area they are working in. These can be small teams working on a single application, up to large teams working on group of related pieces of software. Many developers are in more than one team.
KDE runs or participates in several mentoring programs to help new developers, including an informal list of people who are willing to help newcomers get started. See the Mentoring page for more details.
Choosing what to do
A good place to start is with a small bug or feature in an existing piece of software that affects you personally ("scratch your own itch"). Get in touch with the existing developers (see Communicating with the team, below) and they can help you out, by pointing you to the right place in the code and giving advice about how to tackle the problem.
Other starting points are:
- Junior Jobs are small tasks that are suitable for beginners (both bugs and features)
- Bugs related to KDE's Usability & Productivity initiative, many of which are small and easy
- The English Breakfast Network searches out simple, common issues in code that should be fixed, and going through the problems on there can provide a good overview of the code
New to (C++/Qt) software development?
Most KDE software is written in C++ using the Qt framework. There are many guides to C++ online, and which one works for you will depend on how you learn best and what previous programming experience you have.
For learning Qt, you can find a list of books for learning Qt on the Qt wiki. Qt also provides lots of examples you can look at.
Most KDE software is also built on other KDE software, particularly the KDE Frameworks. The TechBase wiki has documentation about using these libraries, and a book is available. See also Guidelines and HOWTOs/Development.
Get the code
First you will need to use your distro's package manager to install some basic tools:
- Debian/Ubuntu/KDE Neon: sudo apt install git cmake
- Fedora: sudo dnf install git cmake
- openSUSE: sudo zypper install git cmake
- Arch/Antergos/Manjaro: sudo pacman -S git cmake
Next, create a folder to hold all the source code repositories you're going to be downloading!
mkdir ~/repos cd ~/repos
Now download the source code for the project you would like to work on. All the KDE git repositories can be found at here. If you are not familiar with Git, the Git Book is a good introduction. For now, just clone the repo:
git clone https://anongit.kde.org/<repository-name>.git
Set up your development environment
Next you will need to download the dependencies for the project you would like to patch, so that it will compile. The way to do this varies heavily according to your distro:
Recommended development platforms
- KDE Neon: sudo apt install <repo/package name>
- openSUSE Tumbleweed: sudo zypper si -d <repo/package name>
- Arch/Antergos/Manjaro/other Arch-based distro: sudo pacman -S git <repo/package name>
Development platforms that can work if you upgrade to use newer packages
These platforms can work If you install newer versions of KDE frameworks, or else things won't build.
- Fedora: [Insert method of updating KDE packages here] sudo dnf builddep <repo/package name>
- Kubuntu: First install the Kubuntu Backports PPA to get the latest versions of KDE Software. (Warning: this will also update Plasma and KDE Applications): sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kubuntu-ppa/backports && sudo apt update. Then you can run sudo apt install <repo/package name>
Before you work on your patch, try to compile the software to make sure that your development environment is set up properly:
mkdir build cd build cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/opt/kde/ make
(Notice how we are telling CMake to install to /opt/kde/ instead of /usr/ (which is the normal location). This is because we don't want to overwrite the software provided by your distro, which could destabilize the system.
Did the project compile? Great! Move onto the next section. If you ran into problems, See this page for what to do about it.
Make your patch
Now you can open your editor and get hacking! As before, make sure it compiles:
make
Test your patch
At this point you have a patch, and the project still compiles. Now it's time to run the project's unit tests:
make test
If any test fail, that needs to be investigated before you can proceed. If the tests pass, then it's time to install your patched software:
sudo make install
This will install the software to /opt/kde/. To actually run it, you will need to set some environment variables to account for the non-standard location. First, create a file with the environment variables:
cat >~/.kderc << EOF export KF5=/opt/kde export QTDIR=/usr export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=$KF5:$CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH export XDG_DATA_DIRS=$KF5/share:$XDG_DATA_DIRS:/usr/share export XDG_CONFIG_DIRS=$KF5/etc/xdg:$XDG_CONFIG_DIRS:/etc/xdg export PATH=$KF5/bin:$QTDIR/bin:$PATH export QT_PLUGIN_PATH=$KF5/lib/plugins:$KF5/lib64/plugins:$KF5/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/plugins:$QTDIR/plugins:$QT_PLUGIN_PATH export QML2_IMPORT_PATH=$KF5/lib/qml:$KF5/lib64/qml:$KF5/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qml:$QTDIR/qml export QML_IMPORT_PATH=$QML2_IMPORT_PATH export KDE_SESSION_VERSION=5 export KDE_FULL_SESSION=true export SASL_PATH=/usr/lib/sasl2:$KF5/lib/sasl2 EOF
Now source it to pick up the new environment variables:
source ~/.kderc
Now you're ready to run your patched program!
/opt/kde/bin/<the program>
Does it Behave as you expect? If not, Go back and work on your patch some more, then re-compile and re-deploy, and test again, until the program does what you'd like it to do.
Submitting your first patch
Once you're happy with your patch and have verified that it does what you want, you need to send it to other KDE developers for review. KDE uses Phabricator for this. Learn how to submit a patch with Phabricator
Communicating with the team
There are several ways to get in touch with KDE developers, and developers for a specific project. The two most important are:
- the IRC channel #kde-devel on the freenode network (learn more about IRC) is the core channel for developers
- The primary development mailing list is the kde-devel list (learn more about mailing lists)
Both of these are general KDE development communication channels, and you may get directed to a more appropriate place for the project you are interested in. There is a list of mailing lists if you want to find a mailing list for a specific team directly. Many teams have their own Telegram rooms, too.
You can also try looking for the team's section on the Main Page of this wiki. Many teams have information there for new contributors.
Next steps
After you have had several patches accepted, a KDE developer is likely to suggest you get a Developer account, which will allow you to commit directly to KDE projects. With very few limits on where you can commit, you will be expected to act responsibly. At this point, congratulations! You are officially a KDE developer!
You may also want to set up a more permanent or advanced development environment, which will be very handy to start working on KDE Frameworks or Plasma itself. See Guidelines and HOWTOs/Build from source