1.1. A brief introduction to kde-builder#
1.1.1. What is KDE Builder#
KDE Builder is a tool to help the KDE community install KDE software from its git source repositories, and continue to update that software afterwards. It is particularly intended to support those who need to test and develop of KDE software, including users testing bugfixes and developers working on new features.
The KDE Builder tool can be configured to maintain a single individual project, a full Plasma desktop with KDE application set, or somewhere in between.
To get started, see Getting Started, or continue reading for more details on how KDE Builder works and what is covered in this documentation.
1.1.2. KDE Builder operation#
KDE Builder works by using the tools available to the user at the command line, using the same interfaces available to the user. When KDE Builder is run, the following sequence is followed:
KDE Builder reads in the command line and configuration file, to determine what to build, compile options to use, where to install, etc.
KDE Builder performs a source update for each project. The update continues until all projects have been updated. Projects that fail to update normally do not stop the build – you will be notified at the end which projects did not update.
Projects that were successfully updated are built, have their test suite run, and are then installed. To reduce the overall time spent, kde-builder will by default start building the code as soon as the first project has completed updating, and allow the remaining updates to continue behind the scenes.