KDE (community and project)

In short: KDE is an international community that develops free software. The name originally stood for “K Desktop Environment”, today “KDE” stands for the community and its programs.

In more detail: Founded in 1996 by Matthias Ettrich. Today it covers more than the desktop. The software is released in three collections.

In detail

• KDE Plasma: the desktop, see KDE Plasma.
• KDE Frameworks: about 70 libraries based on Qt that other programs use too.
• KDE Gear: collection of applications (Dolphin, Kdenlive, Okular, Gwenview, Kate; Krita is a separate project).
• Well-known programs: Krita (painting), Kdenlive (video editing), digiKam (photos), KDE Connect, Elisa (music), KDevelop.
• Organisation: the association KDE e.V. (Germany). Development is open, anyone can contribute.
• Licence: free software, mainly GPL and LGPL.
• Qt: the underlying toolkit belongs to the Qt Company but is strongly shaped by KDE.

See also: KDE Plasma, Linux desktop environments at a glance