GTK+ is a runtime environment that applies to a number of operating systems. If you create an interface for a program, GTK Runtime should be installed on the users’ computers so that the program runs. Most computer manufacturers do not pre-install the cross-platform runtime environment, so users must install the GTK+ Runtime Environment for their software to work as intended.
As a software developer, you can incorporate the whole GTK runtime environment into your software. That way, users need not face difficulty in using the computer program you created. You might have experienced similar issues with program distribution kits.
What is GTK+ Runtime Environment
A long program or software means a waste of resources. A program or software becomes large if it tries to include all the runtime files from the software library. Most software developers simply create a program with just the modules needed. Then the remaining ones are managed as a different software and are converted into the runtime environment.
You might have been through the experience where, when installing some software, it first asks you to install the C++ or VC++ Distribution Kit. In the same way, the GTK+ Runtime Environment creates an environment in which user interfaces can work without issue across different computer platforms.
GTK+ Architecture
There are four fundamental libraries that form the GTK+ runtime environment, required for your GTK applications. They are:
- GLib
- Cairo
- Pango and
- ATK
GLib is an essential library that handles data structures, based on C Language.
Cairo is used to provide support for 2D graphics that need to stay consistent on different operating systems. It also uses hardware acceleration wherever possible.
Pango is a code library for designing layouts. The focus here is on cross-platform usability.
ATK is a library file that provides a set of interfaces for accessibility. The ATK tool helps software developers view source code across a range of devices and toolkits.
GTK+ Runtime Environment is free to use, modify, and reuse commercially and you can download it from gtk.org.
