GTK+ /Gnome Application Development

Part of the open-source initiative, the GNU Network Object Model Environment, or Gnome, provides a powerful development framework for building applications in Linux/Unix using C. When combined with GTK+, a user interface library that simplifies graphics programming, you have a nearly unbeatable combination, one that is growing in popularity with developers for building leading-edge interfaces in Linux. GTK+/Gnome Application Development provides a handy reference to these two important packages. Clearly presented, this book is a fine resource for any Linux/Unix C programmer who wants to use these two toolkits.

The book is strongest at presenting the APIs for each aspect of Gnome/GTK+, as well as covering the underlying libraries and tools (such as glib and Xlib). There is also a good guide to getting started with these packages with installation advice. Topic by topic, the author presents the essential APIs for each aspect of Gnome and GTK+. There's good coverage of events (or signals) and graphics programming (including pixmaps), as well as built-in and custom widgets. This is reference-oriented work, designed to get you to essential APIs quickly. Rather than complete programs, this book concentrates on useful code excerpts and API listings. (Several more comprehensive code examples are included in appendices.)

It's sometimes hard to see the forest for the trees when it comes to Unix/Linux documentation. GTK+/Gnome Development provides essential information about these two powerful packages in a compact format. This book fills a valuable niche by putting Gnome and GTK+ into the hands of the working C developer. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Gnome and GTK+ overview, glib basics, source trees and GNU documentation, Gnome application basics, adding toolbars and statusbars, dialog boxes, GTK+ objects and types, graphics and fonts, glib and Xlib basics, GTK widgets and canvas classes, signals, pixmaps, building custom widgets, and GTK+ and Gnome API reference.