What Is KDevelop and Which Programming Languages Does It Support?
Updated
KDevelop is a free, open source, cross-platform integrated development environment (IDE) for C, C++, Python, QML/JavaScript, and PHP. It is part of the KDE developer tooling ecosystem and is designed to provide a seamless development environment for projects of any size — from small scripts to large codebases — while staying out of the programmer's way.
Which languages does KDevelop support?
According to the KDE Developer Platform, KDevelop supports:
- C
- C++
- Python
- QML/JavaScript
- PHP
This makes it a practical choice if you work across compiled languages (C/C++) and scripting or UI languages (Python, QML/JavaScript, PHP) in the same environment.
What kind of IDE is it?
KDevelop is described as:
- Cross-platform — it runs on multiple operating systems rather than being tied to one.
- Open source — its source is publicly available.
- Powerful and fast — it aims to handle demanding projects without slowing you down.
- Seamless — it offers an integrated environment for programming tasks.
- Unobtrusive — it is designed to help you get the job done while staying out of your way.
Who is it for?
KDevelop is positioned for programmers working on projects of any size. That means it is not limited to hobby-scale work; the same environment is intended to scale to larger codebases. If you already develop with Qt-based technologies, KDevelop fits naturally alongside KDE Frameworks and Kirigami, which the KDE Developer Platform presents as complementary tools for building and distributing KDE software.
How to get it
The KDE Developer Platform provides a direct entry point: Get KDevelop. From there you can obtain the IDE and start using it for C, C++, Python, QML/JavaScript, or PHP development.
If you want to go further, the same site offers related resources:
- Tutorials — learn how to develop KDE software.
- API — read API docs for KDE's development libraries.
- Design — read KDE's human interface guidelines.
- Distribute — get your KDE app in front of users.
- Multi-Platform — develop once and deploy across desktop Linux, Android, Windows, macOS, embedded systems, and more.
Quick summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | A cross-platform IDE |
| Languages supported | C, C++, Python, QML/JavaScript, PHP |
| License model | Open source |
| Best fit | Projects of any size, especially Qt/KDE-related work |
| Where to get it | The KDE Developer Platform ("Get KDevelop") |
If your work involves C, C++, Python, QML/JavaScript, or PHP and you want an open source, cross-platform IDE that integrates with the broader KDE and Qt toolchain, KDevelop is the tool to evaluate first.