Package gtk4 was not found in the pkg-config search path

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05-10-2024

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"Package gtk4 was not found in the pkg-config search path" - A Guide to Solving This GTK+ Error

The Problem: When trying to compile a program that uses the GTK+ 4 library, you encounter the dreaded error "Package gtk4 was not found in the pkg-config search path." This error basically means your system can't find the necessary files to link your program with the GTK+ library.

Let's Break It Down:

Imagine building a house. You need to find the right bricks, mortar, and other materials to make your house stand. In the case of a GTK+ program, "pkg-config" acts as a guide, telling the compiler where to find the crucial "bricks" – the GTK+ libraries – that allow your program to work. When you see this error, it means pkg-config can't locate the necessary files.

Scenario:

You're trying to compile a basic "Hello World" GTK+ program using the following code:

#include <gtk/gtk.h>

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
  gtk_init(&argc, &argv);

  GtkWidget *window = gtk_window_new(GTK_WINDOW_TOPLEVEL);
  gtk_window_set_title(GTK_WINDOW(window), "Hello World");
  gtk_widget_show(window);

  gtk_main();

  return 0;
}

And you get the dreaded error:

$ gcc main.c -o main `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtk4` 
Package gtk4 was not found in the pkg-config search path.

How To Fix It:

1. Install GTK+ 4:

   • Ubuntu/Debian:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt install libgtk-4-dev
     

   • Fedora/CentOS/RHEL:

     sudo dnf install gtk4-devel
     

   • macOS:

     brew install gtk+4
     

   • Other Distributions: Consult your distribution's documentation.

2. Verify GTK+ 4 Installation:

   • Check if the pkg-config command can find the library:

     pkg-config --exists gtk4 
     

     You should see an empty line if GTK+ 4 is correctly installed.

3. Update PKG_CONFIG_PATH:

   • If you still get the error, you might need to manually update the PKG_CONFIG_PATH environment variable. This tells pkg-config where to look for libraries. You can add the GTK+ 4 installation directory to the path:

     export PKG_CONFIG_PATH=$PKG_CONFIG_PATH:/usr/local/lib/pkgconfig
     

     (Replace /usr/local/lib/pkgconfig with the actual location of the gtk4.pc file).

4. Try Again!

   • Re-run your compile command:

     gcc main.c -o main `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtk4` 
     

Additional Tips:

• Clean Build: Sometimes, your system might have outdated cached information about packages. A good practice is to clean your build directory before compiling.
• Library Version: Make sure the installed GTK+ 4 version matches the requirements of your program.
• IDE Integration: If you're using an IDE (like Visual Studio Code or Eclipse), ensure the GTK+ 4 development files are properly linked in your project settings.

Troubleshooting:

• Check for typos in your compile commands and library names.
• Ensure you have the necessary build tools (GCC, make) installed.
• Verify your system's environment variables are correctly set.

Further Exploration:

• GTK+ website: https://www.gtk.org/
• GTK+ 4 documentation: https://docs.gtk.org/gtk4/
• pkg-config documentation: https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/pkg-config/

By following these steps, you can confidently overcome the "Package gtk4 was not found" error and start building your GTK+ 4 applications. Happy coding!