GObject

GObject is a C-based object-oriented framework and type system that provides a foundation for building object-oriented applications in C, commonly used in the GNOME desktop environment and GTK toolkit. It enables features like inheritance, polymorphism, and signals (events) in C, which lacks built-in object-oriented support. The framework includes a runtime type system, memory management with reference counting, and property support for dynamic object manipulation.

Also known as: GObject, GObject system, GLib Object System, GObject library, GObject framework

Why learn GObject?

Developers should learn GObject when working on GNOME applications, GTK-based GUI projects, or any C software requiring object-oriented design patterns, as it provides a standardized way to implement OOP in C with cross-platform compatibility. It is essential for creating maintainable and extensible C codebases in ecosystems like GNOME, where it underpins many libraries and tools, facilitating integration and interoperability.

Learning Resources

• docs: GObject Reference Manual
• tutorial: GObject Tutorial on GNOME Developer
• tutorial: GObject Introspection Tutorial
• course: GTK and GObject Course on Udemy
• video: GObject System Overview Video