2. Getting Started

In this chapter, we show how to use the kdesrc-build to checkout modules from the KDE repository and build them. We also provide a basic explanation of the KDE source code structure and the steps you have to perform before running the script.

All topics present in this chapter are covered with even more detail in the Build from Source article, at the KDE Community Wiki. If you are compiling KDE for the first time, it is a good idea to read it, or consult it as a reference source. You will find detailed information about packaging tools and requirements, common compilation pitfalls and strategies and information about running your new KDE installation.

• 2.1. Preparing the System to Build KDE
  • 2.1.1. Setup a new user account
  • 2.1.2. Ensure your system is ready to build KDE software
  • 2.1.3. Setup kdesrc-build
    • 2.1.3.1. Install kdesrc-build
    • 2.1.3.2. Prepare the configuration file
      • 2.1.3.2.1. Manual setup of configuration file
• 2.2. Setting the Configuration Data
• 2.3. Using the kdesrc-build script
  • 2.3.1. Loading project metadata
  • 2.3.2. Previewing what will happen when kdesrc-build runs
  • 2.3.3. Resolving build failures
• 2.4. Building specific modules
• 2.5. Setting the Environment to Run Your KDE Plasma Desktop
  • 2.5.1. Automatically installing a login driver
    • 2.5.1.1. Adding xsession support for distributions
    • 2.5.1.2. Manually adding support for xsession
  • 2.5.2. Setting up the environment manually
• 2.6. Module Organization and selection
  • 2.6.1. KDE Software Organization
  • 2.6.2. Selecting modules to build
  • 2.6.3. Module Sets
    • 2.6.3.1. The basic module set concept
    • 2.6.3.2. Special Support for KDE module sets
  • 2.6.4. The official KDE module database
  • 2.6.5. Filtering out KDE project modules
• 2.7. Getting Started Conclusion