kde-builder

Initialize kde-builder

$ kde-builder --initial-setup

$ kde-builder [component_name1 component_name2 ...]

$ kde-builder [[-SD|--no-src --no-include-dependencies]] [component_name]

$ kde-builder [[-r|--refresh-build]] [component_name]

$ kde-builder [[-f|--resume-from]] [dependency_component] [component_name]

$ kde-builder --run [executable_name]

$ kde-builder --install-login-session-only

$ kde-builder --no-stop-on-failure [component_name]

kde-builder [options] [module ...]

--help
    Display usage information and exit.

--version
    Show version number and exit.

--build
    Build the specified modules (default).

--src-only
    Download sources only, no build.

--no-build
    Update sources but skip building.

--network
    Update modules from network repositories.

--include-dependencies
    Automatically build dependencies.

--pretend
    Show what would be done without executing.

--resume
    Resume a previously interrupted build.

--verbose
    Enable verbose output during build.

kde-builder is a Perl-based tool designed for KDE developers to automate the process of downloading, compiling, and installing KDE software modules from source. It fetches the latest code from KDE's repositories, resolves dependencies, and builds specified modules or the entire KDE suite. Primarily used in the KDE3 and early KDE4 eras, it simplifies the development workflow by handling complex build configurations, patches, and updates.

Users configure it via a ~/.kde-builderrc file, specifying modules, repositories, and build options. It supports incremental builds, making it efficient for iterating on code changes. While powerful, it's command-line only and requires a properly set up development environment with Qt and necessary libraries.

Deprecated tool; superseded by kdesrc-build. May not support modern KDE Gear/Plasma versions. Requires Perl and KDE devel packages.

Edit ~/.kde-builderrc for modules list, global options, and repository mirrors.
Example:
global module-base-dir /home/user/kde/src

Run kde-builder --network to update all configured modules before building.

Originated in early 2000s for KDE 3.x development. Maintained through KDE4 transition until ~2009, when kdesrc-build (forked/enhanced version) took over for better Git integration and modularity.

kdesrc-build(1), cmake(1), make(1), qmake(1)