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content/post/2010-01-13-learning-by-example.markdown

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+---
+author: einar
+categories:
+- KDE
+- Linux
+comments: true
+date: "2010-01-13T21:37:38Z"
+slug: learning-by-example
+tags:
+- KDE
+- pykde
+- python
+title: Learning by example
+disable_share: true
+wordpress_id: 744
+---
+
+With my brand-new SVN account, [I just committed some code](http://lists.kde.org/?l=kde-commits&m=126342017923323&w=2) to kdeexamples, KDE's example code module. In particular, I  committed a simple example which shows how to use KConfigXT via PyKDE4, a simplified version of [what I wrote about here]({{ site.url }}/2009/10/howto-kconfigxt-with-pykde4).
+
+As most of KDE is C++, and the Python API docs are translated directly from the C++ API docs, it is essential to have good examples to help newcomers learn faster.  There are some PyKDE4 examples in the kdebindings module already, but I put mine in kdeexamples for a number of reasons:
+
+  * _Clear purpose_: kdeexamples is meant exactly for this - example code;
+  * _Visibility:_ A central place to find KDE examples even for bindings is optimal, makes easier to find what one is looking for.
+
+Visibility is also important as currently the examples are rather buried inside kdebindings, and as far as I know they aren't included in the packages of some distributions (at least not openSUSE; YMMV). 
+
+I decided to take this route because PyKDE4 is basically the job of one person (Simon Edwards): he does already a great job, but the work is too much for a single person to handle. And due to shortage of human resources, PyKDE4 lacks examples and documentation, and thus it's not always easy to understand how to use the C++ API in Python. Writing snippets of working code, with extensive comments, is a step in the good direction. And also an opportunity to contribute back to KDE after all these years!
+
+For now there's just KConfigXT,  but I plan on tackling KIO next, as soon as I have time. Of course, help is welcome!