GTK# (GTK3 / C# / Glade / Visual Studio Code) - Linux

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Introduction
GtkSharp is a .NET wrapper for the GTK library, enabling developers to create graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in C#.
It provides bindings for GTK and related libraries such as GLib, GDK, Pango, and Cairo, making it a powerful tool for cross-platform application development.

This quick guide introduces how to develop applications using GTK#
Specifically it includes instructions on how to use Glade and Visual Studio Code to write a C# application using GTK3.

This includes
* Installing the required prerequisites on Linux (Debian/Ubuntu/Mint)
* Installing Glade (The Interface Designer)
* Installing Visual Studio Code
* Creating your first GTK# Program.


Key Features of GtkSharp
GtkSharp supports GTK 3.22 and is compatible with .NET Standard 2.0, making it suitable for modern .NET applications.
Unlike older versions, it does not require glue libraries, simplifying the setup process.

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Installing the Prerequisites

1) Install Glade, using your linux package manager

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sudo apt install glade

2) Download the .NET framework for your operating system, using the following LINK

3) Install the .NET DEB Package.

4) Download Visual Studio Code for your operating system using this LINK

5) Install the Visual Studio Code .DEB package

6) Open Visual Studio Code

7) On the top menu bar in Visual Studio Code, click on View -> Extensions to bring up the extensions pane

8) Search for the extension C# Dev Kit extension, from Microsoft, and install

9) Search for the extension C# extension, from Microsoft, and install

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To use GtkSharp, you need to install the necessary NuGet packages.
The primary package is GtkSharp, but additional libraries like GdkSharp, PangoSharp, and CairoSharp can be included depending on your requirements.
For example, you can install the main package using the following command:

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dotnet add package GtkSharp

The following is a Guide on Installing GTK# on Mac OSX

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Creating a GTK Application in C#

You can quickly scaffold a new GTK application using the dotnet new templating engine.
First, install the GtkSharp template by running the following in a Terminal window.

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dotnet new --install GtkSharp.Template.CSharp

Then, generate a new GTK application project:

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dotnet new gtkapp -n MyGtkApp

This creates a basic GTK application structure that you can build upon.

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Example: A Simple GTK Window in C#

Here’s an example of creating a simple GTK window using GtkSharp:

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using Gtk;
class Program
{
   static void Main(string[] args)
   {
       Application.Init(); // Initialize the GTK application
       // Create a new window
       var window = new Window("Hello, GtkSharp!");
       window.SetDefaultSize(400, 300);
       window.DeleteEvent += (o, e) => Application.Quit(); // Close the app on window close
       // Add a label to the window
       var label = new Label("Welcome to GtkSharp!");
       window.Add(label);
       window.ShowAll(); // Display the window and its contents
       Application.Run(); // Run the GTK application loop
   }
}

Save this code in a .cs file, build it using dotnet build, and run the application to see a simple GTK window.