gtkmm is a C++ wrapper for GTK+ (http://www.gtk.org/), a library used to create graphical user interfaces. It is licensed using the LGPL license, so you can develop open software, free software, or even commercial non-free software using gtkmm without purchasing licenses. gtkmm was originally named gtk– because GTK+ already has a + in the name. However, as — is not easily indexed by search engines the package generally went by the name gtkmm, and that’s what we stuck with.

gtkmm allows you to write code using normal C++ techniques such as encapsulation, derivation, and polymorphism. As a C++ programmer you probably already realise that this leads to clearer and better organised code. gtkmm is more type-safe, so the compiler can detect errors that would only be detected at run time when using C. This use of specific types also makes the API clearer because you can see what types should be used just by looking at a method’s declaration.

Inheritance can be used to derive new widgets. The derivation of new widgets in GTK+ C code is so complicated and error prone that almost no C coders do it. As a C++ developer you know that derivation is an essential Object Orientated technique. Member instances can be used, simplifying memory management. All GTK+ C widgets are dealt with by use of pointers. As a C++ coder you know that pointers should be avoided where possible. gtkmm involves less code compared to GTK+, which uses prefixed function names and lots of cast macros.

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