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This page is the continuation with more advanced topics of the page [[Get_Involved/development]].
This page is the continuation with more advanced topics of the page [[Get_Involved/development]].


This paged is not meant for people that are starting to program for KDE.
== kde-builder is an alternative to kdesrc-build ==
 
kdesrc-build and kde-builder are two KDE build frameworks. They are used at the command line and have identical command line syntax, just replace the string "kdesrc-build" with "kde-builder". They use the same configuration file, named <code>kdesrc-buildrc</code>.
 
kde-builder is newer and regularly gets new features and is written in Python.
 
kdesrc-build is in maintenance mode and feature frozen and written in Perl.
 
The "how to install kde-builder" procedure is here https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kde-builder/-/blob/master/README.md .


== Develop in a Linux container ==
== Develop in a Linux container ==


When you start programming for KDE, it is recommended that you [[Get_Involved/development|use kdesrc-build in your main operating system or in a virtual machine]] running on a rolling-release Linux distribution (Arch, openSUSE Tumbleweed, KDE neon) or running on e.g. the latest version of Fedora KDE Spin or Kubuntu.
When you start programming for KDE, it is recommended that you [[Get_Involved/development|use kdesrc-build in your main operating system or in a virtual machine]] running on a [[Get_Involved/development#Operating_system|Linux operating system that is better supported by kdesrc-build]].


As an alternative, you can run kdesrc-build in a Linux container (docker, podman, toolbx, distrobox).
As an alternative, you can run kdesrc-build in a Linux container (docker, podman, toolbx, distrobox).
Line 15: Line 23:
=== Option 2. distrobox ===
=== Option 2. distrobox ===


Or, you can just create a long lived (pet not cattle) container using distrobox and podman (or docker). See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JEALbcmcCg https://github.com/89luca89/distrobox
It is possible to start developing KDE software using container images that are able to see inside your home folder. This can be done using distrobox and podman.
 
First, install distrobox and podman from your distribution repositories:
 
* Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install distrobox podman
* openSUSE: sudo zypper install distrobox podman
* Fedora: sudo dnf install distrobox podman
* Arch: sudo pacman --sync distrobox podman
 
On systems which are designed for you to not tamper with their root files (immutable distributions like openSUSE Kalpa, Fedora Kinoite, and SteamOS on the Steam Deck) you can use an [https://distrobox.it/#alternative-methods official alternative method] to install distrobox:
 
{{Input|<nowiki>
curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/89luca89/distrobox/main/install | sh -s -- --prefix ~/.local
</nowiki>}}
 
On the Steam Deck, you will additionally need to add <tt>~/.local/bin</tt> to the <code>$PATH</code>.
 
==== Building without kdesrc-build ====
 
You can build a single repository using the [https://community.kde.org/Neon/Containers KDE Neon Unstable docker image]. We will be using the <code>plasma:unstable</code> image, which comes with the latest KDE software and libraries, and we will be using the minimal version, which requires you to install development libraries before compiling your projects.
 
After installing distrobox and podman, run the following to create a new distrobox container:
 
{{Input|
podman pull invent-registry.kde.org/neon/docker-images/plasma:unstable
distrobox create --image invent-registry.kde.org/neon/docker-images/plasma:unstable
}}
 
This will create a distrobox container named '''plasma-unstable'''.
 
{{Note|The plasma:unstable image size is 5.6 GB.}}
 
Lastly, enter the generated container:
 
{{Input|
distrobox enter plasma-unstable
}}
 
You can then just clone the desired repository in your home folder and build it while being inside the container. If any development libraries are missing, you can just install them the same way you would install on Debian/Ubuntu/KDE Neon:
 
{{Input|
sudo apt install packagename-dev
}}
 
You can also use <code>build-dep</code> to let apt install the required libraries for the program you will be compiling. For example, to install the development libraries for Kate, you can run:
 
{{Input|
sudo apt-get build-dep kate
}}
 
==== Building with kdesrc-build ====
 
First, install distrobox and podman from your distribution repositories. Then run:
 
{{Input|
distrobox enter
}}


Start with the official Docker hub container image of one of the Linux distributions that is better suited for kdesrc-build. Then setup kdesrc-build in the container. distrobox makes it such that you can run GUI apps in the container. Also, your user's home directory (~) is the same in the host operating system and in the container. Warning: the container will write to your home directory and may conflict with your host operating system.
This should create a container based on your current Linux OS and enter it. It is preferable to use one of the Linux distributions that is better suited for kdesrc-build, as mentioned [[Get_Involved/development#Operating_system|in this wiki page]], so if your distribution does not provide very up-to-date packages, you can download and use a different container image for your distrobox from [https://hub.docker.com/search?type=image Dockerhub]. For example, with openSUSE Tumbleweed:


== Other operating systems ==
{{Input|
podman pull opensuse/tumbleweed
distrobox create --image opensuse/tumbleweed --name tumbleweed
distrobox enter tumbleweed
}}


=== FreeBSD ===
Then it's a matter of downloading and running kdesrc-build as detailed in [https://develop.kde.org/docs/getting-started/building/kdesrc-build-setup/ Set up a development environment]:


Install the latest release of FreeBSD with KDE Plasma Desktop on your hardware computer or in a virtual machine. Then set up kdesrc-build using the same procedure as when installing kdesrc-build on a Linux operating system. FreeBSD is currently supported by kdesrc-build. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2wq0eTnUuc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT-AN4J-hn8
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
mkdir -p ~/.local/share/
cd ~/.local/share
git clone https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build.git
cd kdesrc-build
./kdesrc-build --initial-setup
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
ln -sf ~/.local/share/kdesrc-build/kdesrc-build ~/.local/bin
</syntaxhighlight>


=== Microsoft Windows ===
From this point on, one important thing to bear in mind is that a distrobox container is transparent in its user space and containerized in its root space: when you are inside a distrobox container, you can see the content of system's home folder, but not your system's root folders, only the container's root folders. This means that you can install packages inside the container using root privileges and access those packages to compile your programs stored in your home, without ever installing those packages in your actual system!


You can build and develop KDE projects using the [[Get_Involved/development/Windows|Microsoft Windows]] operating system.
You can take advantage of this by installing, for instance, Qt development packages used for kdesrc-build from inside the container. This way, it is not necessary to compile Qt with kdesrc-build. This is particularly convenient if you want to compile KDE software with Qt6 quickly.


=== Apple macOS ===
Likewise, you should [https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies install the required dependencies] from inside the distrobox rather than from your system's repositories. Then you can start compiling as usual.


You can build and develop KDE projects using the [[Get_Involved/development/Mac|Apple macOS]] operating system.
After compiling your program with kdesrc-build from inside the distrobox, you can run it with <code>kdesrc-build run</code>, and despite it originating from inside a container and using the libraries from the container, it will run just fine as a GUI application on your system!


== Advanced kdesrc-build ==
{{Note|If you are on an X11 session, you will need to create the file <tt>~/.config/distrobox/distrobox.conf</tt> and add <code>xhost +si:localuser:$USER</code> to it in order for distrobox to be able to run graphical applications.}}


Note: these resources might not be up to date.
The only few gotchas to using this method are:


See the [https://docs.kde.org/trunk5/en/kdesrc-build/kdesrc-build/ kdesrc-build manual], [https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build/-/blob/master/README.md Readme #1], [https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build/-/blob/master/doc/README.md Readme #2], [https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build/-/blob/master/doc/source-reference/index.adoc Document #3] for more kdesrc-build information and options.
* You cannot use a [https://develop.kde.org/docs/getting-started/building/kdesrc-build-compile/#plasma full Plasma Desktop session] made from git.
* You will need qqc2-desktop-style and Breeze to show the correct theme for your applications.
* You will need the QtWayland library and its respective development package to run your applications natively on a Wayland session.


== Build Qt using kdesrc-build ==
== Other operating systems ==
 
=== Kubuntu >= 23.10 ===


Set up kdesrc-build from scratch as usual.
The default configuration of kdesrc-build requires Qt version 6.6. Kubuntu 23.10 has Qt version 6.4.2. It is recommended that you use a [[Get_Involved/development#Operating_system|Linux OS that is better supported by kdesrc-build]].


Open the configuration file <code>~/.config/kdesrc-buildrc</code> and confirm that <code>qtdir</code> and the lines <code>include...qt5-build-include</code> and <code>include...custom-qt5-libs-build-include</code> are not commented out (i.e. there should not be a <code>#</code> in front of the lines). E.g. (replace "username" with your Linux user's name):
If you are a more seasoned developer you might be able to use Kubuntu for kdesrc-build by [[Get_Involved/development/More#Qt_6_installed_using_the_Qt_online_installer|installing Qt6 using the Qt online installer]] or by [[Get_Involved/development/More#Build_Qt_using_kdesrc-build|building Qt6 using kdesrc-build]].


{{Input|1=<nowiki>
=== FreeBSD ===
qtdir ~/kde/usr # Where to make install Qt5
include /home/username/kde/src/kdesrc-build/qt5-build-include
include /home/username/kde/src/kdesrc-build/custom-qt5-libs-build-include
</nowiki>}}


Run in a terminal:
Install the latest release of FreeBSD with KDE Plasma Desktop on your hardware computer or in a virtual machine.


{{Input|1=<nowiki>
Your user should be member of the "wheel" user group (e.g. this can be configured in the FreeBSD installer, when creating your user you can select additional user groups for your user). Your user should be able to use sudo:
kdesrc-build Qt5
kdesrc-build frameworks
</nowiki>}}


== kdesrc-build, Qt6 and KDE Frameworks 6 ==
<pre>
pkg install sudo
visudo
# Uncomment the line: %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL
</pre>


Set up kdesrc-build clean from scratch following the same procedure as when using "Qt5 and KDE Frameworks 5". Before building anything using kdesrc-build, do:
Then set up kdesrc-build using the same procedure as when installing kdesrc-build on a Linux operating system. FreeBSD is currently supported by kdesrc-build. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MqBnb3Y9JU


{{Input|1=<nowiki>
=== OpenBSD >= 7.5 ===
sed -i 's/kf5-common/kf6-common/' ~/.config/kdesrc-buildrc
sed -i 's/kf5-qt5/kf6-qt6/' ~/.config/kdesrc-buildrc
</nowiki>}}


The file <code>~/.config/kdesrc-buildrc</code> should contain the not commented out lines:
Install OpenBSD version greater than or equal to 7.5. In the installer keep the defaults, the user created by the installer is named "administrator" in this example.
<pre>
# Enable doas
su -
cp /etc/examples/doas.conf /etc/doas.conf
exit
# kdesrc-build needs sudo.
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin ; ln -s /usr/bin/doas ~/.local/bin/sudo
echo "export PATH=~/.local/bin:\$PATH" >> ~/.bashrc


{{Input|1=<nowiki>
# Test doas.
include /home/username/kde/src/kdesrc-build/kf6-common-options-build-include
doas su
...
# kde-builder needs bash.
include /home/username/kde/src/kdesrc-build/kf6-qt6-build-include
pkg_add bash
</nowiki>}}
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/bash
exit


In the file <code>~/.config/kdesrc-buildrc</code>, in the "global" section, the line "cmake-options" should contain "-DBUILD_WITH_QT6=ON".
# As user administrator
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/bash


Then build KDE Frameworks 6:
# As per https://rsadowski.de/posts/2024-01-09-openbsd-kde/ , https://openports.pl/path/meta/kde,-plasma
doas su
pkg_add kde-plasma kate


{{Input|1=<nowiki>
# I recommend that you use tigervnc. https://nmariusp.github.io/install-os.html#openbsd--75
kdesrc-build frameworks
</pre>
</nowiki>}}


Note: <code>kdesrc-build --initial-setup</code> does not install the packages needed for building with kdesrc-build "Qt6 and KDE Frameworks 6". The instructions on [[Guidelines and HOWTOs/Build from source/Install the dependencies|how to install the dependencies]] are for "Qt5 and KDE Frameworks 5" only, they do not work for "Qt6 and KDE Frameworks 6". Therefore many kdesrc-build modules will fail to build because of missing dependencies (CMake errors).
After you install kdesrc-build:
<pre>
# Edit the kdesrc-buildrc file e.g.:
cmake-options -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo -DKF_IGNORE_PLATFORM_CHECK=ON


=== Install the dependencies ===
# Also set environment variable:
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/usr/local/lib/qt6/cmake
# Or
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/usr/local/lib/qt5/cmake
</pre>


See below for some ideas about how to find out what Linux packages you need to install.
=== Microsoft Windows ===


E.g. I am on Kubuntu 22.10, <code>kdesrc-build frameworks</code> fails, module <code>kcoreaddons</code> has CMake (configure) error <code>Could NOT find Qt6LinguistTools (missing: Qt6LinguistTools_DIR)</code>.
You can build and develop KDE projects using the [[Get_Involved/development/Windows|Microsoft Windows]] operating system.


Option 1:
=== Apple macOS ===


Search on the internet for <code>ubuntu packages Qt6LinguistTools</code> it returns https://packages.ubuntu.com/kinetic/amd64/qt6-tools-dev Expand "amd64 [list of files]": <code>/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/cmake/Qt6LinguistTools/Qt6LinguistToolsConfig.cmake</code>
You can build and develop KDE projects using the [[Get_Involved/development/Mac|Apple macOS]] operating system.


{{Input|1=<nowiki>
== What to do if CMake configure fails because a build dependency is missing ==
sudo apt install qt6-tools-dev
</nowiki>}}


Option 2:
See https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies .
{{Input|1=<nowiki>
sudo apt install apt-file
sudo apt-file update
apt-file find Qt6LinguistToolsConfig.cmake
# qt6-tools-dev: /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/cmake/Qt6LinguistTools/Qt6LinguistToolsConfig.cmake
sudo apt install qt6-tools-dev
</nowiki>}}


If the error is:
== Project Documentation ==
{{Input|1=<nowiki>
The imported target "Qt6::qtwaylandscanner" references the file
    "/usr/lib/qt6/libexec/qtwaylandscanner"
but this file does not exist.
</nowiki>}}


Then:
* [https://docs.kde.org/trunk5/en/kdesrc-build/kdesrc-build/ Handbook]
{{Input|1=<nowiki>
* [https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build/-/blob/master/README.md Readme #1]
apt-file find /usr/lib/qt6/libexec/qtwaylandscanner
* [https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build/-/blob/master/doc/README.md Readme #2]
# qt6-wayland-dev-tools: /usr/lib/qt6/libexec/qtwaylandscanner
sudo apt install qt6-wayland-dev-tools
</nowiki>}}


Option 3:
Developer's documentation can be found in the {{ic|doc/source-reference}} in the project repo.
{{Input|1=<nowiki>
apt search linguist | grep qt6
# linguist-qt6/kinetic 6.3.1-2 amd64
sudo apt install linguist-qt6
</nowiki>}}


=== Ubuntu ===
== kf6-qt6 vs. kf5-qt5 ==


{{Input|1=<nowiki>
Many KDE git repositories can build correctly and run correctly using "kdesrc-build kf6-qt6".
sudo apt install qt6-tools-dev qt6-declarative-dev libqt6core5compat6-dev qt6-wayland-dev qt6-wayland-dev-tools qt6-base-private-dev libqt6svg6-dev libqt6opengl6-dev libqt6shadertools6-dev
</nowiki>}}


== Build Qt6 using kdesrc-build ==
The KDE git repositories that can build correctly and run correctly using "kdesrc-build kf6-qt6" have two long lived git branches:


A screen recording version is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDzX0376QyA
* A long lived git branch that does not contain the deprecated symbols from kf5-qt5, named e.g. "master".
* And another long lived git branch for qt5-kf5, where the deprecated symbols still exist.


Note: If you cannot build the KDE frameworks using kdesrc-build and using the Qt6 provided by your OS (Linux distribution). Because the Qt6 is not complete. You might want to build Qt6 using kdesrc-build.
What is "kf6-qt6"? You just set up kdesrc-build following the procedure. The resulting kdesrc-build installation will be of type kf6-qt6. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf6-qt6". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch, will use the git branch where the deprecated symbols do not exist e.g. named "master".


Note: Building Qt6 using kdesrc-build is an advanced topic.
What is "kf5-qt5"? Follow the chapter "kdesrc-build Qt5". The resulting kdesrc-build installation will be of type kf5-qt5. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf5-qt5". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch where the deprecated symbols still exist e.g. named "kf5" will use that.


Set up kdesrc-build clean from scratch following the same procedure as when using "Qt5 and KDE Frameworks 5".
== Build Qt using kdesrc-build ==


{{Input|1=<nowiki>
=== Qt6 ===
Edit two files:
If you cannot build the KDE frameworks using {{ic|kdesrc-build}} and the Qt provided by your Linux distribution is outdated, you might want to build the Qt framework using {{ic|kdesrc-build}}.


cat ~/.config/kdesrc-buildrc
In your configuration file use the {{ic|qt-install-dir}} option (in the ''global'' section) with non-empty value, for example:
# This file controls options to apply when configuring/building modules, and
# controls which modules are built in the first place.
# List of all options: https://docs.kde.org/trunk5/en/kdesrc-build/kdesrc-build/conf-options-table.html


{{bc|
global
global
    branch-group kf6-qt6
  qt-install-dir ~/kde/usr
  branch-group kf6-qt6
end global
}}
 
It is recommended that if you build Qt6 using kdesrc-build, you also build qtwebengine. Edit the file {{ic|~/.local/state/sysadmin-repo-metadata/module-definitions/qt6.ksb}}. Follow the instructions found in the file: if you want qtwebengine, add it to use-modules after "qtwebchannel" and comment out the line "ignore-modules qtwebengine".


    # Finds and includes *KDE*-based dependencies into the build.  This makes
Then build Qt6: {{bc|kdesrc-build qt6-set}}
    # it easier to ensure that you have all the modules needed, but the
    # dependencies are not very fine-grained so this can result in quite a few
    # modules being installed that you didn't need.
    include-dependencies true


    # Install directory for KDE software
To compile Qt6 with Qt X11 Extras (which is a necessary library to compile [https://api.kde.org/frameworks/kwindowsystem/html/ KWindowSystem]), you should enable XCB feature during compilation
    kdedir ~/kde/usr


    # Directory for downloaded source code
{{bc|1=kdesrc-build qt6-set --cmake-options="-DQT_FEATURE_xcb=ON"}}
    source-dir ~/kde/src


    # Directory to build KDE into before installing
=== Qt5 ===
    # relative to source-dir by default
If you want the same for Qt5, change {{ic|branch-group}} option and use {{ic|qt5-set}} instead of {{ic|qt6-set}}.
    build-dir ~/kde/build


    qtdir  ~/kde/usr # Where to install Qt5 if kdesrc-build supplies it
== Qt 6 installed using the Qt online installer ==


    cmake-options -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug
A screen recording version is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BIbYN2vIZw


    # kdesrc-build sets 2 options which is used in options like make-options or set-env
The homepage of the Qt Framework is https://www.qt.io . Go to this web page, create an online account. https://www.qt.io/download-open-source > "Download the Qt Online Installer" > Linux > "Qt Online Installer for Linux (64-bit)" > download a file named e.g. qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run into the directory e.g. "~/Downloads".
    # to help manage the number of compile jobs that happen during a build:
    #
    # 1. num-cores, which is just the number of detected CPU cores, and can be passed
    #    to tools like make (needed for parallel build) or ninja (completely optional).
    #
    # 2. num-cores-low-mem, which is set to largest value that appears safe for
    #    particularly heavyweight modules based on total memory, intended for
    #    modules like qtwebengine
    num-cores 16
    num-cores-low-mem 12


    # kdesrc-build can install a sample .xsession file for "Custom"
<pre>
    # (or "XSession") logins,
ls -la ~/Downloads # The downloaded file needs to have the "executable" chmod bit set.
    install-session-driver false
chmod u+x ~/Downloads/qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run
~/Downloads/qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run
</pre>


    # or add a environment variable-setting script to
A graphical user interface (GUI) installer wizard starts. Login using your Qt online account. Next > check the checkbox "I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of using OpenSource Qt", check the checkbox "I'm an individual and do not use Qt for any company" > Next > Next > enable "Help us improve" > Next > Custom installation, notice that the install directory is "~/Qt" > Next. Install the latest version of Qt6 and the latest version of the Qt Creator integrated development environment (IDE). There are some Qt6 components that are not used by KDE and can be left out when installing Qt6 e.g. Qt Design Studio, WebAssembly, Android, Sources, Qt Quick 3D, Qt 3D, Qt Quick 3D Physics, "Qt Debug Information Files". Next > enable "I have read and agree" > Next > Install.
    # ~/.config/kde-env-master.sh
    install-environment-driver true


    # Stop the build process on the first failure
In the KDE Plasma app launcher (start menu) you now have the application "Qt Maintenance Tool".
    stop-on-failure true


    # Use a flat folder layout under ~/kde/src and ~/kde/build
Set up kdesrc-build from scratch as usual.
    # rather than nested directories
    directory-layout flat


    # Build with LSP support for everything that supports it
Edit the file kdesrc-buildrc to look like:
    compile-commands-linking true
    compile-commands-export true


     git-repository-base qt6-copy https://invent.kde.org/qt/qt/
<pre>
global
...
     qt-install-dir  ~/Qt/6.7.0/gcc_64 # Where to install Qt6 if kdesrc-build supplies it
    libname lib
...
end global
end global
</pre>


# With base options set, the remainder of the file is used to define modules to build, in the
== Two independent kdesrc-build configurations: kf6-qt6 and kf5-qt5 ==
# desired order, and set any module-specific options.
#
# Modules may be grouped into sets, and this is the normal practice.
#
# You can include other files inline using the "include" command. We do this here
# to include files which are updated with kdesrc-build.


# Common options that should be set for some KDE modules no matter how
You can switch between configurations with {{ic|--rc-file}} command line option. Generate another config, make the changes for the {{ic|source-dir}}, {{ic|build-dir}}, {{ic|install-dir}},
# kdesrc-build finds them. Do not comment these out unless you know
and other changes you want. Make sure you use different value for {{ic|persistent-data-file}} option, to not mix things up.
# what you are doing.
include /home/username/kde/src/kdesrc-build/kf6-common-options-build-include


# Qt and some Qt-using middleware libraries. Uncomment if your distribution's Qt
As an alternative, you can utilize custom variable to make switch from a single config:
# tools are too old but be warned that Qt take a long time to build!
include /home/username/kde/src/kdesrc-build/qt6-build-include
include /home/username/kde/src/kdesrc-build/custom-qt6-libs-build-include


# KF5 and Plasma :)
{{bc-hl|shell|
#include /home/username/kde/src/kdesrc-build/kf6-qt6-build-include
global
    _ver 5  # <-- Change this to switch
    source-dir ~/kde${_ver}/src
    build-dir ~/kde${_ver}/build
    install-dir ~/kde${_ver}/usr
    persistent-data-file ~/kde${_ver}/persistent-options.json
end global


# To change options for modules that have already been defined, use an
include ~/.local/share/kdesrc-build/data/build-include/kf${_ver}-qt${_ver}.ksb
# 'options' block. See kf6-common-options-build-include for an example
}}


cat ~/kde/src/kdesrc-build/qt6-build-include
== Other CPU architectures than x86_64/amd64 and x86 ==
# Downloads and installs Qt6 from the KDE mirror, using Qt6's CMake support
# exclusively.  Consider this an unofficial build that won't be supported by Qt
# upstream since we don't go through the init-repository script.
# It is probably better to install from your local distribution devel packages
# if possible!
module-set qt6-set
    override-build-system qt6 # technically optional for now


    repository qt6-copy # as defined in kdesrc-buildrc-kf6-sample
You can build and develop KDE projects using a Linux OS installed on an  [[Get_Involved/development/ARM|ARM]] architecture CPU.
    branch    6.4


    # Controls where Qt6 is installed
== kdesrc-build issues ==
    prefix ${qtdir}


    # These have been manually placed in dependency order based on the
See https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies
    # .gitmodules file in https://code.qt.io/cgit/qt/qt5.git/tree/.gitmodules
    # in "essential" or "addons" categories with some additions
    # qtdoc should be last to give it best opportunity to make needed docs
    use-modules qtbase qtshadertools qtdeclarative qtsvg qttools \
        qtimageformats qtmultimedia qtwayland                    \
        qtwebsockets qtwebchannel qtwebengine qtwebview qtsensors            \
        qtnetworkauth qt5compat qtdoc


    # if you want qtwebengine, add it to use-modules after "qtwebchannel" and
=== wayland-protocols is too old, e.g. "kdesrc-build kidletime" fails ===
    # comment this out. Note qtwebengine has significant and different build
    # requirements of its own.
    #ignore-modules qtwebengine


    # Archiving API requires zstd support which may not be present in your CMake
<pre>
    cmake-options -DQT_BUILD_TESTS=FALSE -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo \
mkdir -p ~/kde/misc && cd ~/kde/misc
                  -DQT_AVOID_CMAKE_ARCHIVING_API=TRUE
wget https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/wayland/wayland-protocols/-/releases/1.31/downloads/wayland-protocols-1.31.tar.xz
tar -xJvf wayland-protocols-*.tar.xz && mv wayland-protocols-*/ wayland-protocols
cd wayland-protocols
meson setup builddir --prefix $HOME/kde/usr
meson compile -C builddir
meson install -C builddir
</pre>


    cmake-generator Ninja # comment out if you want the default CMake generator
=== "kdesrc-build kpat" fails because of black-hole-solitaire ===
end module-set


options qtwebengine
This happens on Debian/Ubuntu/Kubuntu. Because there is no Linux distribution binary package for https://github.com/shlomif/black-hole-solitaire.
    # qtwebengine build system is weird, involving make as the top-level driver
 
    # and then calling ninja for the bulk of the build.  qtwebengine is a bulky
Solution: append at the end of kdesrc-buildrc file:
    # module and having ninja use all cores at once may run out of memory if
<pre>
    # not careful, so we use make to pass less aggressive Ninja flags.
options kpat
    # num-cores-low-mem needs to be defined in your kdesrc-buildrc.
     cmake-options -DWITH_BH_SOLVER=OFF
     make-options NINJAFLAGS=-j${num-cores-low-mem}
end options
end options
</pre>


# vim: set ft=kdesrc-buildrc:
=== libdisplay-info is not available ===


</nowiki>}}
If your Linux OS does not have a package for libdisplay-info.
Append at the end of the file <code>kdesrc-buildrc</code>:
<pre>
module libdisplay-info
  repository https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/emersion/libdisplay-info.git
end module
</pre>

Latest revision as of 00:49, 19 April 2024

This page is the continuation with more advanced topics of the page Get_Involved/development.

kde-builder is an alternative to kdesrc-build

kdesrc-build and kde-builder are two KDE build frameworks. They are used at the command line and have identical command line syntax, just replace the string "kdesrc-build" with "kde-builder". They use the same configuration file, named kdesrc-buildrc.

kde-builder is newer and regularly gets new features and is written in Python.

kdesrc-build is in maintenance mode and feature frozen and written in Perl.

The "how to install kde-builder" procedure is here https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kde-builder/-/blob/master/README.md .

Develop in a Linux container

When you start programming for KDE, it is recommended that you use kdesrc-build in your main operating system or in a virtual machine running on a Linux operating system that is better supported by kdesrc-build.

As an alternative, you can run kdesrc-build in a Linux container (docker, podman, toolbx, distrobox).

Option 1. The KDE PIM Docker image

You can install Docker and the KDE PIM Docker image. It provides a development environment that is isolated from your day-to-day system. It is based on KDE Neon Unstable.

Option 2. distrobox

It is possible to start developing KDE software using container images that are able to see inside your home folder. This can be done using distrobox and podman.

First, install distrobox and podman from your distribution repositories:

  • Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install distrobox podman
  • openSUSE: sudo zypper install distrobox podman
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install distrobox podman
  • Arch: sudo pacman --sync distrobox podman

On systems which are designed for you to not tamper with their root files (immutable distributions like openSUSE Kalpa, Fedora Kinoite, and SteamOS on the Steam Deck) you can use an official alternative method to install distrobox: 

curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/89luca89/distrobox/main/install | sh -s -- --prefix ~/.local

On the Steam Deck, you will additionally need to add ~/.local/bin to the $PATH.

Building without kdesrc-build

You can build a single repository using the KDE Neon Unstable docker image. We will be using the plasma:unstable image, which comes with the latest KDE software and libraries, and we will be using the minimal version, which requires you to install development libraries before compiling your projects.

After installing distrobox and podman, run the following to create a new distrobox container: 

podman pull invent-registry.kde.org/neon/docker-images/plasma:unstable
distrobox create --image invent-registry.kde.org/neon/docker-images/plasma:unstable

This will create a distrobox container named plasma-unstable.

Note

The plasma:unstable image size is 5.6 GB.


Lastly, enter the generated container: 

distrobox enter plasma-unstable

You can then just clone the desired repository in your home folder and build it while being inside the container. If any development libraries are missing, you can just install them the same way you would install on Debian/Ubuntu/KDE Neon: 

sudo apt install packagename-dev

You can also use build-dep to let apt install the required libraries for the program you will be compiling. For example, to install the development libraries for Kate, you can run: 

sudo apt-get build-dep kate

Building with kdesrc-build

First, install distrobox and podman from your distribution repositories. Then run: 

distrobox enter

This should create a container based on your current Linux OS and enter it. It is preferable to use one of the Linux distributions that is better suited for kdesrc-build, as mentioned in this wiki page, so if your distribution does not provide very up-to-date packages, you can download and use a different container image for your distrobox from Dockerhub. For example, with openSUSE Tumbleweed: 

podman pull opensuse/tumbleweed
distrobox create --image opensuse/tumbleweed --name tumbleweed
distrobox enter tumbleweed

Then it's a matter of downloading and running kdesrc-build as detailed in Set up a development environment: 

mkdir -p ~/.local/share/
cd ~/.local/share
git clone https://invent.kde.org/sdk/kdesrc-build.git
cd kdesrc-build
./kdesrc-build --initial-setup
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
ln -sf ~/.local/share/kdesrc-build/kdesrc-build ~/.local/bin

From this point on, one important thing to bear in mind is that a distrobox container is transparent in its user space and containerized in its root space: when you are inside a distrobox container, you can see the content of system's home folder, but not your system's root folders, only the container's root folders. This means that you can install packages inside the container using root privileges and access those packages to compile your programs stored in your home, without ever installing those packages in your actual system!

You can take advantage of this by installing, for instance, Qt development packages used for kdesrc-build from inside the container. This way, it is not necessary to compile Qt with kdesrc-build. This is particularly convenient if you want to compile KDE software with Qt6 quickly.

Likewise, you should install the required dependencies from inside the distrobox rather than from your system's repositories. Then you can start compiling as usual.

After compiling your program with kdesrc-build from inside the distrobox, you can run it with kdesrc-build run, and despite it originating from inside a container and using the libraries from the container, it will run just fine as a GUI application on your system!

Note

If you are on an X11 session, you will need to create the file ~/.config/distrobox/distrobox.conf and add xhost +si:localuser:$USER to it in order for distrobox to be able to run graphical applications.


The only few gotchas to using this method are:

  • You cannot use a full Plasma Desktop session made from git.
  • You will need qqc2-desktop-style and Breeze to show the correct theme for your applications.
  • You will need the QtWayland library and its respective development package to run your applications natively on a Wayland session.

Other operating systems

Kubuntu >= 23.10

The default configuration of kdesrc-build requires Qt version 6.6. Kubuntu 23.10 has Qt version 6.4.2. It is recommended that you use a Linux OS that is better supported by kdesrc-build.

If you are a more seasoned developer you might be able to use Kubuntu for kdesrc-build by installing Qt6 using the Qt online installer or by building Qt6 using kdesrc-build.

FreeBSD

Install the latest release of FreeBSD with KDE Plasma Desktop on your hardware computer or in a virtual machine.

Your user should be member of the "wheel" user group (e.g. this can be configured in the FreeBSD installer, when creating your user you can select additional user groups for your user). Your user should be able to use sudo: 

pkg install sudo
visudo
# Uncomment the line: %wheel ALL=(ALL:ALL) ALL

Then set up kdesrc-build using the same procedure as when installing kdesrc-build on a Linux operating system. FreeBSD is currently supported by kdesrc-build. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MqBnb3Y9JU

OpenBSD >= 7.5

Install OpenBSD version greater than or equal to 7.5. In the installer keep the defaults, the user created by the installer is named "administrator" in this example. 

# Enable doas
su -
cp /etc/examples/doas.conf /etc/doas.conf
exit
# kdesrc-build needs sudo.
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin ; ln -s /usr/bin/doas ~/.local/bin/sudo
echo "export PATH=~/.local/bin:\$PATH" >> ~/.bashrc

# Test doas.
doas su
# kde-builder needs bash.
pkg_add bash
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/bash
exit

# As user administrator
chsh -s /usr/local/bin/bash

# As per https://rsadowski.de/posts/2024-01-09-openbsd-kde/ , https://openports.pl/path/meta/kde,-plasma
doas su
pkg_add kde-plasma kate

# I recommend that you use tigervnc. https://nmariusp.github.io/install-os.html#openbsd--75

After you install kdesrc-build: 

# Edit the kdesrc-buildrc file e.g.:
cmake-options -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RelWithDebInfo -DKF_IGNORE_PLATFORM_CHECK=ON

# Also set environment variable:
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/usr/local/lib/qt6/cmake
# Or
export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH=/usr/local/lib/qt5/cmake

Microsoft Windows

You can build and develop KDE projects using the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Apple macOS

You can build and develop KDE projects using the Apple macOS operating system.

What to do if CMake configure fails because a build dependency is missing

See https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies .

Project Documentation

Developer's documentation can be found in the doc/source-reference in the project repo.

kf6-qt6 vs. kf5-qt5

Many KDE git repositories can build correctly and run correctly using "kdesrc-build kf6-qt6".

The KDE git repositories that can build correctly and run correctly using "kdesrc-build kf6-qt6" have two long lived git branches:

  • A long lived git branch that does not contain the deprecated symbols from kf5-qt5, named e.g. "master".
  • And another long lived git branch for qt5-kf5, where the deprecated symbols still exist.

What is "kf6-qt6"? You just set up kdesrc-build following the procedure. The resulting kdesrc-build installation will be of type kf6-qt6. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf6-qt6". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch, will use the git branch where the deprecated symbols do not exist e.g. named "master".

What is "kf5-qt5"? Follow the chapter "kdesrc-build Qt5". The resulting kdesrc-build installation will be of type kf5-qt5. In kdesrc-buildrc in the "global" section you will have "branch-group kf5-qt5". The git repositories that have only one long lived git branch e.g. named "master" will use that. The git repositories that have a second long lived git branch where the deprecated symbols still exist e.g. named "kf5" will use that.

Build Qt using kdesrc-build

Qt6

If you cannot build the KDE frameworks using kdesrc-build and the Qt provided by your Linux distribution is outdated, you might want to build the Qt framework using kdesrc-build.

In your configuration file use the qt-install-dir option (in the global section) with non-empty value, for example: 

global
  qt-install-dir ~/kde/usr
  branch-group kf6-qt6
end global

It is recommended that if you build Qt6 using kdesrc-build, you also build qtwebengine. Edit the file ~/.local/state/sysadmin-repo-metadata/module-definitions/qt6.ksb. Follow the instructions found in the file: if you want qtwebengine, add it to use-modules after "qtwebchannel" and comment out the line "ignore-modules qtwebengine".

Then build Qt6: 

kdesrc-build qt6-set

To compile Qt6 with Qt X11 Extras (which is a necessary library to compile KWindowSystem), you should enable XCB feature during compilation 

kdesrc-build qt6-set --cmake-options="-DQT_FEATURE_xcb=ON"

Qt5

If you want the same for Qt5, change branch-group option and use qt5-set instead of qt6-set.

Qt 6 installed using the Qt online installer

A screen recording version is available https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BIbYN2vIZw

The homepage of the Qt Framework is https://www.qt.io . Go to this web page, create an online account. https://www.qt.io/download-open-source > "Download the Qt Online Installer" > Linux > "Qt Online Installer for Linux (64-bit)" > download a file named e.g. qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run into the directory e.g. "~/Downloads". 

ls -la ~/Downloads # The downloaded file needs to have the "executable" chmod bit set.
chmod u+x ~/Downloads/qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run
~/Downloads/qt-unified-linux-x64-4.6.1-online.run

A graphical user interface (GUI) installer wizard starts. Login using your Qt online account. Next > check the checkbox "I have read and agree to the terms and conditions of using OpenSource Qt", check the checkbox "I'm an individual and do not use Qt for any company" > Next > Next > enable "Help us improve" > Next > Custom installation, notice that the install directory is "~/Qt" > Next. Install the latest version of Qt6 and the latest version of the Qt Creator integrated development environment (IDE). There are some Qt6 components that are not used by KDE and can be left out when installing Qt6 e.g. Qt Design Studio, WebAssembly, Android, Sources, Qt Quick 3D, Qt 3D, Qt Quick 3D Physics, "Qt Debug Information Files". Next > enable "I have read and agree" > Next > Install.

In the KDE Plasma app launcher (start menu) you now have the application "Qt Maintenance Tool".

Set up kdesrc-build from scratch as usual.

Edit the file kdesrc-buildrc to look like: 

global
...
    qt-install-dir  ~/Qt/6.7.0/gcc_64 # Where to install Qt6 if kdesrc-build supplies it
    libname lib
...
end global

Two independent kdesrc-build configurations: kf6-qt6 and kf5-qt5

You can switch between configurations with --rc-file command line option. Generate another config, make the changes for the source-dir, build-dir, install-dir, and other changes you want. Make sure you use different value for persistent-data-file option, to not mix things up.

As an alternative, you can utilize custom variable to make switch from a single config: 

global
    _ver 5  # <-- Change this to switch
    source-dir ~/kde${_ver}/src
    build-dir ~/kde${_ver}/build
    install-dir ~/kde${_ver}/usr
    persistent-data-file ~/kde${_ver}/persistent-options.json
end global

include ~/.local/share/kdesrc-build/data/build-include/kf${_ver}-qt${_ver}.ksb

Other CPU architectures than x86_64/amd64 and x86

You can build and develop KDE projects using a Linux OS installed on an ARM architecture CPU.

kdesrc-build issues

See https://community.kde.org/Get_Involved/development/Install_the_dependencies

wayland-protocols is too old, e.g. "kdesrc-build kidletime" fails

mkdir -p ~/kde/misc && cd ~/kde/misc
wget https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/wayland/wayland-protocols/-/releases/1.31/downloads/wayland-protocols-1.31.tar.xz
tar -xJvf wayland-protocols-*.tar.xz && mv wayland-protocols-*/ wayland-protocols
cd wayland-protocols
meson setup builddir --prefix $HOME/kde/usr
meson compile -C builddir
meson install -C builddir

"kdesrc-build kpat" fails because of black-hole-solitaire

This happens on Debian/Ubuntu/Kubuntu. Because there is no Linux distribution binary package for https://github.com/shlomif/black-hole-solitaire.

Solution: append at the end of kdesrc-buildrc file: 

options kpat
    cmake-options -DWITH_BH_SOLVER=OFF
end options

libdisplay-info is not available

If your Linux OS does not have a package for libdisplay-info. Append at the end of the file kdesrc-buildrc: 

module libdisplay-info
  repository https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/emersion/libdisplay-info.git
end module
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