GLib provides the core application building blocks for libraries and applications written in C. It provides the core object system used in GNOME, the main loop implementation, and a large set of utility functions for strings and common data structures.
GIO provides a modern and easy-to-use VFS API. It provides a file system abstraction which allows applications to access local and remote files with a single consistent API.
GObject provides the object system used for Pango and GTK+.
ATK provides the set of accessibility interfaces that are implemented by other toolkits and applications. Using the ATK interfaces, accessibility tools have full access to view and control running applications.
The AT-SPI library provides interfaces which are used by accessibility technologies.
GAIL provides an implementation of the ATK interfaces for GTK+ and GNOME libraries, allowing accessibility tools to interact with applications written using these libraries.
See also: documentation on development version
Pango is the core text and font handling library used in GNOME applications. It has extensive support for the different writing systems used throughout the world.
See also: documentation on development version
GdkPixbuf is a library for image loading and manipulation. The GdkPixbuf documentation contains both the programmer's guide and the API reference.
See also: documentation on development version
An intermediate layer which isolates GTK+ from the details of the windowing system.
See also: documentation on development version
GTK+ is the primary library used to construct user interfaces in GNOME applications. It provides user interface controls and signal callbacks to control user interfaces.
See also: documentation on development version
Powerful and feature complete XML handling library.
The XSLT C library developed for the Gnome project. XSLT itself is a an XML language to define transformation for XML. Libxslt is based on libxml2.
Libglade is a library for constructing user interfaces dynamically from XML descriptions. Libglade allow programmers to construct their user interfaces using a graphical interface builder application, and then import those interface definitions.
GConf provides the daemon and libraries for storing and retrieving configuration data.
GnomeVFS is the core library used to access files and folders in GNOME applications. It provides a file system abstraction which allows applications to access local and remote files with a single consistent API.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
Bonobo-activation allows you to browse the available CORBA servers on your system (running or not). It keeps track of the running servers so that if you ask for a server which is already running, you will not start it again but will reuse the already running one.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
The GnomeCanvas widget provides a flexible widget for creating interactive structured graphics.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
The libgnome library provides a number of useful routines for building modern applications, including session management, activation of files and URIs, and displaying help.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
The libgnomeui library provides additional widgets for applications. Many of the widgets from libgnomeui have already been ported to GTK+.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
Libart functions - Libart handles the drawing capabilities in GNOME. All complex rendering is handled here.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
Bonobo is a framework for creating reusable components for use in GNOME applications, built on top of CORBA.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
The Bonobo UI library provides a number of user interface controls using the Bonobo component framework.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
ORBit is a fast and lightweight CORBA server. GNOME's component architecture, Bonobo, is built on top of CORBA.
This module is heading towards planned deprecation. It will continue to be supported and API/ABI stable throughout the GNOME 2.x series, but we do not recommend using it in new applications unless you require functionality that has not already been moved elsewhere.
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
The GNOME Devtools Library package provides a docking system and several utilities useful to GNOME development tools and GNOME applications in general.
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
Powerful framework for creating multimedia applications. Supports both Audio and Video.
Powerful framework for creating multimedia applications. Supports both Audio and Video.
Powerful framework for creating multimedia applications. Supports both Audio and Video.
libsoup is an HTTP client/server library for GNOME. It uses GObjects and the glib main loop, to integrate well with GNOME applications.
See also: documentation on development version
A library used for programming panel applets for the GNOME panel.
See also: documentation on development version
Library for rendering of SVG vector graphics.
See also: documentation on development version
Terminal emulator widget used by GNOME terminal.
See also: documentation on development version
The Easy Publish and Consume library (libepc) provides an easy method to publish data using HTTPS, announce that information via DNS-SD, find that information and finally consume it.
GMime is a powerful MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) utility library. It is meant for creating, editing, and parsing MIME messages and structures.
GNet is a network library, written in C, object-oriented, and built upon GLib.
Structured File Library (GSF) is an I/O abstraction for reading/writing compound files.
See also: documentation on development version
See also: documentation on development version
C++ Interfaces for GTK+ and GNOME
This freedesktop.org specification describes how applications can be started automatically after the user has logged in and how media can request a specific application to be executed or a specific file on the media to be opened after the media has been mounted.
The Desktop Entries provide information about an application such as the name, icon, and description. These files are used for application launchers and for creating menus of applications that can be launched.
This freedesktop.org specification standardizes extensions to the ICCCM between X desktops.
This freedesktop.org specification describes a common way to name icons and their contexts in an icon theme.
This freedesktop.org specification describes a common way to store icon themes.
This freedesktop.org specification describes how menus are built up from desktop entries.
This freedesktop.org specification attempts to unify the MIME database systems currently in use by X desktop environments.
Various specifications specify files and file formats. This freedesktop.org specification defines where these files should be looked for by defining one or more base directories relative to which files should be located.
For those who develop, or are interested in developing GNOME and applications for GNOME. You will find developer documentation and information on how to get involved, and much more.