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xfce:building [2012/07/30 20:40] – [Package specific dependencies] Thunar optional dependency: libnotify mikexfce:building [2018/01/03 18:37] – [Build requirements] skunnyk
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 To compile a complete Xfce desktop from source requires some information about the dependency chain and the various configure options available in each module. This page will describe this in detail, so you can compile your own Xfce desktop; both system wide as well as in your $HOME directory. To compile a complete Xfce desktop from source requires some information about the dependency chain and the various configure options available in each module. This page will describe this in detail, so you can compile your own Xfce desktop; both system wide as well as in your $HOME directory.
  
-===== Version =====+====== Version ======
  
-First you need to decide which version of Xfce you want to compile. Version numbers are mostly build like this: 1.2.3 => major.minor.micro. If the minor version is an even number, it is a stable releaseodd number are development snapshots. The micro number increases each release. Also keep the major.minor version the same for the core components (some packages don't follow those numbers) else you will most likely get dependency version problems during compiling.+First you will need to decide on which version of Xfce that you want to compile. Xfce version numbers are constructed like this: 1.2.3 => major.minor.micro. If the minor version is an even number, this means that it is a stable release. An odd numbered minor version indicate a development, or testing snapshots. The micro number increases with each release. Also, it is recommended to keep the major.minor version the same for the core components (some packages don't follow those numbers) or there will most likely be dependency version problems during compilation.
  
-The latest releases available can be found on the [[http://xfce.org/download|download]] page. You can also build from the source repositories if you have enough experience, more about that below.+The latest releases available can be found on the [[http://xfce.org/download|download]] page. You can also build from the source repositories if you have enough experience. Additional information about this is provided below.
  
-===== Source =====+====== Source ======
  
-If you've decided which version you want to compile, there are a couple of ways to download the source code. You can choose to build official released packages or clone the source repositories. Choosing the released packages is recommended here; the source repositories could be broken and are not suitable for production environments, but on the other hand always contains the latest features, bug fixes and translations.+Once you have decided which version that you want to compile, there are a couple of ways to download the source code. You can either choose to build official released packagesor clone the source repositories. Choosing the released packages is the recommended option. The source repositories could possibly be broken and are not generally suitable for production environments. Howeverthey always contains the latest features, bug fixes and translations.
  
-If your not sure what to choose: easiest is to start with the latest stable fat-tarball of a collection release.+If your are not sure what to choose, it is easiest to begin with the latest stable fat-tarball of a collection release.
  
-==== Released packages ====+===== Released packages =====
  
-Xfce packages have two types of releases. Click the links to open the the download locations.+Xfce packages have two types of releases. Click the links, below, to open the the download locations.
  
-  * [[http://archive.xfce.org/xfce/|Collection releases of the core modules]]\\ From time to time a new collection release if Xfce is made. A collection release consists of a number of individual tarballs and a fat-tarball that contains all the individual tarballs.\\ The collection releases always contain the correct versions to build the other packages in the release. If you want the latest version of each package, you can start with a collection release and then look for individual bug fix releases, explained in the item below. +  * [[http://archive.xfce.org/xfce/|Collection releases of the core modules]]\\ From time to time a new collection release of Xfce is made. A collection release consists of a number of individual tarballs and a fat-tarball that contains all of the individual tarballs.\\ The collection releases always contains the correct versions needed to build the other packages in the release. If you want the latest version of each package, you can start with a collection release and then look for individual bug fix releases, explained in the item below. 
   * [[http://archive.xfce.org/src/xfce/|Individual releases]]\\ Each package in Xfce is allowed to make development and stable releases at any time, see the [[http://xfce.org/about/releasemodel|release model]] documentation for more information.    * [[http://archive.xfce.org/src/xfce/|Individual releases]]\\ Each package in Xfce is allowed to make development and stable releases at any time, see the [[http://xfce.org/about/releasemodel|release model]] documentation for more information. 
  
-==== From the code repository ====+===== From the code repository =====
  
-For the latest code you need to make local copies of the GIT repositories, this is the place where developers submit their code. If you decide to use GIT, try to use the same branch for all the packages to avoid dependency version problems.+For the latest codeyou need to make local copies of the [[http://git.xfce.org/|GIT repositories]]. This is the place where developers submit their code. If you decide to use GIT, try to use the same branch for all the packages to avoid dependency version problems.
  
-You first need to make clones of each GIT repository, like the command below, where ''$category'' is for example ''xfce'' and ''$module'' ''xfce4-panel''. If you click on a module in the [[http://git.xfce.org/xfce|online repository]] list the clone uri is shown at the bottom of the page.+You first need to make clones of each GIT repository, like the command below, where ''$category'' is for example ''xfce'' and ''$module'' ''xfce4-panel''. If you click on a module in the [[http://git.xfce.org/xfce|online repository]] listthe clone uri is shown at the bottom of the page.
  
   git clone git://git.xfce.org/$category/$module   git clone git://git.xfce.org/$category/$module
  
-After the repository is cloned you need to choose which branch you want to compile. By default the ''master'' branch is selected, but there are also branches for stable releases like ''xfce-4.8''. The stable branches contain the latest bug fixes without any major new feature, the master branch is the development version for the next release of Xfce. Both should not be used in a production environment.+After the repository is clonedyou will need to choose which branch you want to compile. By defaultthe ''master'' branch is selected, but there are also branches for stable releases like ''xfce-4.10''. The stable branches contain the latest bug fixes without any major new features, the master branch is the development version for the next release of Xfce. Both should not be used in a production environment.
  
-To switch to another branch (''git branch -a'' lists all available branches) run the following command inside the cloned directory to switch to, for example, the ''xfce-4.8'' branch:+To switch to another branch (''git branch -a'' lists all available branches) run the following command inside the cloned directory to switch to, for example, the ''xfce-4.10'' branch:
  
-  git checkout --track origin/xfce-4.8+  git checkout --track origin/xfce-4.10
  
-After this you can update your local copy of the repository with git pull and switch to another branch with ''git checkout $branchname''. Read the [[http://git-scm.com/documentation|GIT manuals]] for more information about using GIT.+After thisyou can update your local copy of the repository with git pull and switch to another branch with ''git checkout $branchname''. Read the [[http://git-scm.com/documentation|GIT manuals]] for more information about using GIT. 
 +====== Dependencies ======
  
-===== Dependencies ===== +===== Build requirements =====
- +
-==== Build requirements ====+
  
 Before you can start compiling, you need a couple of packages that are required to compile Xfce. Use your distributions package manager to install those packages. Additional packages are required too for some modules, but we'll get to that later. Before you can start compiling, you need a couple of packages that are required to compile Xfce. Use your distributions package manager to install those packages. Additional packages are required too for some modules, but we'll get to that later.
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   * [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_toolchain|A working GNU toolchain]]   * [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_toolchain|A working GNU toolchain]]
   * Gtk+ and Glib headers, in some distributions called the -devel packages    * Gtk+ and Glib headers, in some distributions called the -devel packages 
 +    * Xfce 4.14 requires Gtk+ 3.22 and Glib 2.42
 +    * Xfce 4.12 requires Gtk+ 2.24 and Glib 2.30
     * Xfce 4.10 requires Gtk+ 2.20 and Glib 2.24     * Xfce 4.10 requires Gtk+ 2.20 and Glib 2.24
     * Xfce 4.8 requires Gtk+ 2.14 and Glib 2.20     * Xfce 4.8 requires Gtk+ 2.14 and Glib 2.20
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   * Coffee   * Coffee
  
-==== Xfce's dependency chain ====+===== Xfce's dependency chain =====
  
 The Xfce packages need to be built in a specific order. If you don't follow this, compile options might not be available or the configure stage will abort because of missing dependencies. The Xfce packages need to be built in a specific order. If you don't follow this, compile options might not be available or the configure stage will abort because of missing dependencies.
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   * xfce4-settings, xfce4-session, xfdesktop, xfwm4, <del>xfce-utils</del> ((this package conflicts with xfce4-session, xfce4-appfinder and libxfce4ui since Xfce 4.10 and is not required anymore)), xfce4-appfinder, ...   * xfce4-settings, xfce4-session, xfdesktop, xfwm4, <del>xfce-utils</del> ((this package conflicts with xfce4-session, xfce4-appfinder and libxfce4ui since Xfce 4.10 and is not required anymore)), xfce4-appfinder, ...
  
-==== Package specific dependencies ====+===== Package specific dependencies =====
  
 Some core packages in Xfce have additional or optional dependencies, all are listed in the table below for the latest stable version. We only show the top-dependency (so xfce4-panel also requires gtk+, but libxfce4ui already depends on that). Some core packages in Xfce have additional or optional dependencies, all are listed in the table below for the latest stable version. We only show the top-dependency (so xfce4-panel also requires gtk+, but libxfce4ui already depends on that).
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 ^ xfdesktop | libxfce4ui, xfconf, libwnck, exo ((was optional in 4.8)) | thunarx, garcon, libnotify | ^ xfdesktop | libxfce4ui, xfconf, libwnck, exo ((was optional in 4.8)) | thunarx, garcon, libnotify |
 ^ xfce4-appfinder | libxfce4ui, garcon, gio ((new dependency since 4.10)) | | ^ xfce4-appfinder | libxfce4ui, garcon, gio ((new dependency since 4.10)) | |
-^ xfce-utils ((deprecated fince Xfce 4.10, file conflicts with other packages)) | libxfce4ui | dbus-glib |+<del>xfce-utils</del> ((deprecated fince Xfce 4.10, file conflicts with other packages)) | libxfce4ui | dbus-glib |
 ^ gtk-xfce-engine-2 | gtk+ | | ^ gtk-xfce-engine-2 | gtk+ | |
 ^ tumbler | dbus-glib, gio, gmodule, gdk-pixbuf | freetype-config (fonts), jpeg (jpeg thumbnails from exif), libffmpegthumbnailer (video), gstreamer-0.10 (video), poppler-glib (pdf), libgsf (odf), libopenraw-gnome (various raw images) | ^ tumbler | dbus-glib, gio, gmodule, gdk-pixbuf | freetype-config (fonts), jpeg (jpeg thumbnails from exif), libffmpegthumbnailer (video), gstreamer-0.10 (video), poppler-glib (pdf), libgsf (odf), libopenraw-gnome (various raw images) |
-===== Building ===== 
  
-==== Installation location and variables ====+====== Building ====== 
 + 
 +===== Installation location and variables =====
  
 Now it is finally time to start compiling the Xfce desktop. Last remaining thing is to choose an installation location. Possible examples are ''/usr'', ''/usr/local'' and ''/opt/xfce4'' for a system-wide installation or ''$HOME/local'' if you want to install in your home directory (whatever you choose, never put spaces in the name). We will refer to this location as ${PREFIX} in the code examples below! Now it is finally time to start compiling the Xfce desktop. Last remaining thing is to choose an installation location. Possible examples are ''/usr'', ''/usr/local'' and ''/opt/xfce4'' for a system-wide installation or ''$HOME/local'' if you want to install in your home directory (whatever you choose, never put spaces in the name). We will refer to this location as ${PREFIX} in the code examples below!
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   export CFLAGS="-O2 -pipe"   export CFLAGS="-O2 -pipe"
-   +  
-==== Compiling and installing ====+If you want a debugging environment, unset the CFLAGS and use ''%%--enable-debug%%'', see below for the different debug levels.
  
-Next step is compiling the various packages following the dependency chain above. If you have downloaded the tarballs, you need to unpack them before going on. Inside each package directory you should run the following command:+  export CFLAGS="" 
 +===== Compiling and installing ===== 
 + 
 +Next step is compiling the various packages following the dependency chain above. If you have downloaded the tarballs, you will need to unpack them before going on. Inside each package directory you should run the following command:
  
   ./configure --prefix=${PREFIX} && make && make install   ./configure --prefix=${PREFIX} && make && make install
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   ./autogen.sh --prefix=${PREFIX} && make && make install   ./autogen.sh --prefix=${PREFIX} && make && make install
  
-Specific configure options for each package can be shown with ''%%./configure --help%%''. Note that most packages benefit speed if you pass the configure option ''%%--disable-debug%%'', however if you want to provide backtraces or test new code, no ''$CFLAGS'', no binary stripping and ''%%--enable-debug=full%%'' are recommended. Please note that ''%%--disable-debug%%'' is not available for xfce4-dev-tools.+Specific configure options for each package can be shown with ''%%./configure --help%%''. Note that most packages will see a performance benefit if passed the configure option ''%%--disable-debug%%''.  
 + 
 +However, if you want to provide backtraces or test new code, no ''$CFLAGS'', no binary stripping and ''%%--enable-debug=full%%'' are recommended. Please note that ''%%--disable-debug%%'' is not available for xfce4-dev-tools.
  
 <note>When reusing the ''%%./configure%%'' script while building from GIT remember to pass the flag ''%%--enable-maintainer-mode%%''.</note> <note>When reusing the ''%%./configure%%'' script while building from GIT remember to pass the flag ''%%--enable-maintainer-mode%%''.</note>
  
-If you install the package in a public prefix, for example ''/usr'' or ''/usr/local'', you need to run ''make install'' in sudo. This way you will be asked for the system administrator password and have write permissions in those locations.+If you install the package in a public prefix, for example ''/usr'' or ''/usr/local'', you will need to run ''make install'' using sudo. This wayyou will be asked for the system administrator password and will have write permissions to install in those locations.
  
   sudo make install   sudo make install
  
-===== Help =====+==== Debug Levels ==== 
 + 
 +Most Xfce modules use the m4 macro //XDT_FEATURE_DEBUG// to manage the debug compiler levels. If so there are a number of options possible for ''%%--enable-debug=%%'' 
 + 
 +? no 
 +! Cast checks and asserts in the Glib macros are disabled, this might be a tad faster, but it can results in segfaults and unexpected crashes. 
 +? minimum 
 +! This is the same as ''%%--disable-debug%%''. No additional compiler options are added, but checks in Glib are not disabled. This is the recommended level for users and distributions.  
 +? yes 
 +! A number of ''$CFLAGS'' are set to check the code for different errors. During configure you'll see all the options are tested to avoid binaries that do not work. 
 +? full 
 +! Same as the level above, including ''-Werror'' so the compilers aborts during compiler errors. The compiler will also generate binaries with debug information suitable for [[:contribute:bugs:|backtraces]] and memory checks. This is the recommended level for developers or users who want to report bugs. 
 + 
 +====== Help ======
  
 Hopefully everything went fine after reading this guide. If you still have problems or questions you can ask on the [[http://xfce.org/community#mail|Xfce users mailing list]], the [[http://forum.xfce.org|forum]] or ask distribution related questions on their forums and mailing lists. Hopefully everything went fine after reading this guide. If you still have problems or questions you can ask on the [[http://xfce.org/community#mail|Xfce users mailing list]], the [[http://forum.xfce.org|forum]] or ask distribution related questions on their forums and mailing lists.