My KWIN fork where I work on features like per-output virtual desktops
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Martin Flöser 68589fe937 compositor: Merge the OpenGL 2 and 3 backends
This change merges the two OpenGL backends into one making the current
default of GLCore the overall default. It becomes the first context to
try to create. If it fails, it will automatically fall back to the
(previous) OpenGL 2 backend.

Reasoning: the differentiation of OpenGL 2 and 3 is a very technical one
and hard to understand for users. It is not obvious which one is better
or should be used. This results in many user discussions like "Which
backend to use?"

Back when the OpenGL 3 backend was introduced the dedicated feature made
sense. It was a new code base using new driver features. Nowadays the
code base in KWin is robust and mature and so are the drivers. A driver
advertising support for OpenGL 3 will support OpenGL 3. We don't have to
plan for driver breakage in this area any more.

Also our code evolved through the context attribute builder which gives
us the possibility to more easily fall back in case we cannot create the
context. Thus the need to select the backend is not so important as it
used to be when the feature got introduced.

If a user still wants to force OpenGL2, it is still possible by setting
the appropriate environment variables like MESA_GL_VERSION_OVERRIDE.

This change brings the improvement that the backend selection is now
completely removed from the compositing KCM.
2021-10-08 15:26:25 +00:00
autotests compositor: Merge the OpenGL 2 and 3 backends 2021-10-08 15:26:25 +00:00
cmake/modules Refactor session code 2021-03-23 08:01:19 +00:00
data Remove Xrender backend 2021-06-09 11:21:57 +03:00
doc doc: modernise HACKING -> CONTRIBUTING guidelines and information 2021-08-31 22:10:58 +00:00
kconf_update kconf_update/kwin-5.23-disable-translucency-effect.sh: Avoid bashism 2021-09-23 06:43:34 +00:00
LICENSES
src compositor: Merge the OpenGL 2 and 3 backends 2021-10-08 15:26:25 +00:00
tests Run clazy with qt-keywords fixit 2021-06-08 10:49:42 +03:00
.gitignore GIT_SILENT Add auto generated files to .gitignore 2021-05-03 14:58:25 +02:00
.kde-ci.yml Add kde-ci.yml 2021-10-05 13:11:38 +00:00
CMakeLists.txt wayland: Drop internal connection 2021-10-07 13:28:08 +00:00
CONTRIBUTING.md doc: modernise HACKING -> CONTRIBUTING guidelines and information 2021-08-31 22:10:58 +00:00
KWinDBusInterfaceConfig.cmake.in inputmethod: Provide DBus API so the shell can integrate with it 2021-03-02 13:55:35 +00:00
logo.png
Mainpage.dox
plasma-kwin_wayland.service.in
plasma-kwin_x11.service.in
README.md doc: modernise HACKING -> CONTRIBUTING guidelines and information 2021-08-31 22:10:58 +00:00

KWin

KWin is an easy to use, but flexible, composited Window Manager for Xorg windowing systems (Wayland, X11) on Linux. Its primary usage is in conjunction with a Desktop Shell (e.g. KDE Plasma Desktop). KWin is designed to go out of the way; users should not notice that they use a window manager at all. Nevertheless KWin provides a steep learning curve for advanced features, which are available, if they do not conflict with the primary mission. KWin does not have a dedicated targeted user group, but follows the targeted user group of the Desktop Shell using KWin as it's window manager.

KWin is not...

  • a standalone window manager (c.f. openbox, i3) and does not provide any functionality belonging to a Desktop Shell.
  • a replacement for window managers designed for use with a specific Desktop Shell (e.g. GNOME Shell)
  • a minimalistic window manager
  • designed for use without compositing or for X11 network transparency, though both are possible.

Contributing to KWin

Please refer to the contributing document for everything you need to know to get started contributing to KWin.

Contacting KWin development team

  • mailing list: kwin@kde.org
  • IRC: #kde-kwin on irc.libera.chat

Support

Application Developer

If you are an application developer having questions regarding windowing systems (either X11 or Wayland) please do not hesitate to contact us. Preferable through our mailing list. Ideally subscribe to the mailing list, so that your mail doesn't get stuck in the moderation queue.

End user

Please contact the support channels of your Linux distribution for user support. The KWin development team does not provide end user support.

Reporting bugs

Please use KDE's bugtracker and report for product KWin.

Guidelines for new features

A new Feature can only be added to KWin if:

  • it does not violate the primary missions as stated at the start of this document
  • it does not introduce instabilities
  • it is maintained, that is bugs are fixed in a timely manner (second next minor release) if it is not a corner case.
  • it works together with all existing features
  • it supports both single and multi screen (xrandr)
  • it adds a significant advantage
  • it is feature complete, that is supports at least all useful features from competitive implementations
  • it is not a special case for a small user group
  • it does not increase code complexity significantly
  • it does not affect KWin's license (GPLv2+)

All new added features are under probation, that is if any of the non-functional requirements as listed above do not hold true in the next two feature releases, the added feature will be removed again.

The same non functional requirements hold true for any kind of plugins (effects, scripts, etc.). It is suggested to use scripted plugins and distribute them separately.