Kross, the scripting framework, is one of the pillars new with KDE4. While the project started already a while back in 2004 it enveloped over the time to a rather big codebase. During the KDE4-process one of the main-goals was to decrease the codebase what can be even more difficult then writting new code.

Jim Bublitz has been industriously working on getting the Python bindings for KDE 4 into shape. Part of that work is documentation of course and for that Jim has put together a very handy documentation viewer which combines reference docs with code samples and example code all in one easy to navigate package. One of the classic documentation problems for GUIs which are as customisable as Qt/KDE, is that everyone can, and often does, have their own visual style configured for their desktop. This of course means that any screenshots accompanying documentation simply don't match what is in front of the user most of the time. Having real widgets displayed and operational in the reference docs themselves solves this problem for Python developers at least. I think it's real neat.

Some screenshots below:

Python language bindings for KDE's libraries, PyKDE4, has landed in KDE's subversion repository. Jim Bublitz has been working behind the behind the scenes on PyKDE4 for quite some time, and now PyKDE4 is stable enough to enter its new home in subversion. The last of big sweeping changes to the code, like licensing notices and module layout for example, have been done and PyKDE4 is in good shape for those who want to get in there, port their applications or create new ones and help shake any bugs out. Now that KDE's libraries are mostly settled, changes and improvements to the bindings will be incremental in nature and not too disruptive for Python developers.

Almost all classes in kdelibs are covered, except Phonon which is waiting on imporved namespace support in SIP before we can add support. Supporting tools like a Qt designer compiler that works with KDE classes and uses i18n() are also in the works, along with extra support for things like installation, handling i18n messages etc, and not to mention documentation and example code.

PyKDE4 is in KDE's subversion repository in /trunk/KDE/kdebindings/python/pykde4/ . Be sure to read the INSTALL and README files for more information. Thanks go to Jim Bublitz who has done the real heavy lifting here, and also to Phil Thompson who developes SIP and PyQt4 which PyKDE4 is built on top of.

Okay so I couldn't sleep last night, so I spent the night playing with dcop python and found that dcop signals where missing. Needless to say I added them.

cvs:[kdebindings/dcoppython/test/signal.py|This] short example script shows off the happy new functions in action.