Compilation of GTK+ 3.0 in Windows

Version: 2017-05-14

This web site explains how I can easily compile the GTK+ 3.0 libraries and related libraries on Microsoft Windows. There are other web sites explaining how to build the GTK+ library, but usually they require all sorts of tools. This web site tries to simplify the building process and avoid the using of special versions of the libraries.

Generally I have created or modified CMake files for most of the libraries. At the moment some libraries (like gtk, glib) have fixed Visual Studio solution files and therefore the following preliminary steps must be performed. (I would like to generate CMake files for these libraries as well, as time permits.)

Preliminary steps

You will need a Visual Studio. Please install it and make sure it compiles an elementary hello world C program.
You will also need CMake. This is a tool to compile, link and in general build software on different platforms. It can control the building process for example on Microsoft Windows or Linux operating systems.
It is a compiler and platform independent system.
Select a directory, where you will work. It can be any directory, for example:
```
c:\work\gtk
```
The sources of all libraries must be uncompressed into this directory. For example:
```
  c:\work\gtk\zlib-X.Y.Z
  c:\work\gtk\pcre-A.B.C
```
Depending on the version of the Visual Studio an installation directory must be created. For example in the case of Visual Studio 2010 create the directory:
```
c:\work\gtk\vs10\Win32
```
In the case of Visual Studio 2015 the directory will be:
```
c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32
```
(Please note, that after 2010 there is a difference between the year and the version number of the Visual Studio.)
This directory will be used for all installation, for example:
```
  c:\work\gtk\vs10\Win32\bin
                        \include
                        \lib
```

In the following section very detailed instructions will be given at the beginning, since you may have never used the CMake program. Later on the explanation is not so detailed.

Compiling glib and prerequisites

intl library

You can download the intl library from the official web site or use my local repository.
Copy the contents of the ZIP file into the installation directory.
There are no compilation instructions for this library at the moment.

zlib library

Explanations to the files in zlib-1.2.8-ivanyi.zip

Although CMake configuration files (CMakelists.txt) are available with the library by default, however there are some problems with them. The following changes are applied to it:

It is enough to specify the installation director only once in the CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX.
glib requires a zlib1.dll and zlib1.lib library. The name of the library for Microsoft Windows is corrected in the CMakelists.txt file.

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the zlib-1.2.8.zip file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Copy the contents of zlib-1.2.8-ivanyi.zip file into the c:\work\gtk\zlib-1.2.8 directory. In this way we overwrite the original CMakelists.txt
In the CMake program specify the input directory:
```
c:\work\gtk\zlib-1.2.8\
```
You can use the "Browse Source..." button or type in the name of the directory. In the later case do not worry about the "backslash", just use letter "/". Even on Windows.
Specify a different output directory. For example:
```
c:\work\gtk\zlib-1.2.8\output
```
Press button "Configuration":
You have to specify the compiler:
For the CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX option specify
```
c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32
```
No need to specify any other option. Press button "Configuration" again until all red lines disappear.
In the CMake program press button "Generate". This will generate the Visual Studio solution and project files in directory c:\work\gtk\zlib-1.2.8\output.

Building process

Start the Visual Studio program
Load the solution file.
Change to Release version.
Build the solution. It should build the library without any error.
Finally build the INSTALL project separately. (Right click on the project and select Build.) This project will copy all required files into the directory specified in CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX.

pcre library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the pcre-8.38.zip file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Specify the place of the source code and the binaries in CMake as for zlib.
Press button "Configuration" in CMake.
In the list of options:
- Enable: BUILD_SHARED_LIBS
- Enable: PCRE_SUPPORT_UTF
- Disable: PCRE_BUILD_TESTS
- Set PCRE_NEWLINE to the value ANY
- Set CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32
You must reconfigure the package. If option CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX was specified correctly then CMake finds zlib and a new option PCRE_SUPPORT_ZLIB will appear.
If CMake does not find zlib then you can do the following:
- Switch on the "Advanced" option. This will display several other options.
- At the end of the list of options, set:
  - ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32\include. You can browse to it.
  - ZLIB_LIBRARY_RELEASE to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32\lib\zlib1.lib. You can also browse to it.
Press button "Configuration" again until all red lines disappear.

Building process

The building process is the same as it was in the case of zlib.
Do not forget to set the Release version.
Build the INSTALL project to install files.

ffi library

Explanations to the files in ffi-3.2.1-ivanyi.zip

CMake files are generated for the library to compile for the x86 architecture under Windows.
- The configuration files are not yet tested under Linux or any other architecture. (2017-04-25)
- Almost all parameters in configure are tested in CMake.
- Some tests are also included in the configuration.
include/ffi.h.cmake: Small modification to theoetically enable shared library compilation. However it is still not possible.
src/x86/ffitarget.h: Complex data type is not really supported under Windows. The support of the Complex data type is checked during configuration and it is set properly.

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the ffi-3.2.1.zip file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Copy the contents of ffi-3.2.1-ivanyi.zip file into the c:\work\gtk\ffi-3.2.1 directory.
Further configuration is simple in CMake. The only option to set is CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32.

Building process

Theoretically the building of the library should be easy and simple, however

there is a bug in the assembler of Visual Studio 2015 (MASM). In MASM the default warning level is set to /W3. This is usually set in the file:
```
c:\Program Files\MSBuild\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\V140\BuildCustomizations\masm.props
```
Unfortunately when MASM compiles the ffi library (or some other assembly file) with this warning level then the MASM compiler fails!
Theoretically the warning level can be set with CMake, but unfortunately there is bug (or missing feature) in the program. Thus in reality CMake cannot set the warning level properly.

Thus this means that we have to change the two options manually in the Visual Studio. Therefore to build the library, the following change should be applied to the solution:

Open solution file ffi.sln in the Visual Studio.
Open the ffi project
Select file win32.asm
Right click and select "Properties"
Open section "Microsoft Macro Assembler"

In section "General" change "Warning Level" to different than level 3, for example to "Warning Level 2 (/W2)".
In section "Advanced" change "Use Safe Exception Handler" to "Yes".

The solution can be built in the usual way.

Please compile the Release version of the library.
Finally the library can be installed by building project INSTALL.

glib library

Explanations to the files in glib-2.52.1-ivanyi.zip

At the moment this is a replication of the Visual Studio project files. The CMakeLists.txt files will be checked and adjusted, so the project can compile on Linux as well.

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the glib-2.52.1.tar.xz file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Copy the contents of glib-2.52.1-ivanyi.zip file into the c:\work\gtk\glib-2.52.1 directory.
During the first configuration there will be error messages, since CMake will not find the required libraries. Do not worry. The only option to set is CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32. If the correct directory is specified then CMake will find the libraries and there should be no error.
Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

Compiling gtk+ and prerequisites

libpng library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the lpng1621.zip file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
During the first configuration there will be error messages, since CMake will not find zlib library. Do not worry. The only option to set is CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32. If the correct directory is specified then CMake will find the libraries and there should be no error.

If you want you can switch off options

PNG_STATIC
PNG_TESTS

Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

libjpeg-turbo library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the libjpeg-turbo-1.5.1.tar.gz file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
You have to set the following options:
- CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32
- If you do not have NASM on Windows, then switch off WITH_SIMD
Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

jasper library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the jasper-1.900.3.tar.gz file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Copy the contents of jasper-1.900.3-ivanyi.zip file into the c:\work\gtk\jasper-1.900.3 directory.
During the first configuration there will be error messages, since CMake will not find library jpeg. Do not worry. The only option to set is CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32. If the correct directory is specified then CMake will find the libraries and there should be no error.
Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

tiff library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the tiff-4.0.6.zip file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
During the first configuration there will be error messages, since CMake will not find libraries. Do not worry. The only option to set is CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32. If the correct directory is specified then CMake will find the libraries and there should be no error.
Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

pixman library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the pixman-0.34.0.tar.gz file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Copy the contents of pixman-0.34.0-ivanyi.zip file into the c:\work\gtk\pixman-0.34.0 directory.
Set option to CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32.
Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

cairo library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the cairo-1.15.2.tar.xz file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Copy the contents of cairo-1.15.2-ivanyi.zip file into the c:\work\gtk\cairo-1.15.2 directory.
During the first configuration there will be error messages, since CMake will not find libraries. Set the following options
- CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32 If the correct directory is specified then CMake will find the libraries and there should be no error.
- Switch on option CAIRO_GLIB
Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

atk library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the atk-2.24.0.tar.xz file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Copy the contents of atk-2.24.0-ivanyi.zip file into the c:\work\gtk\atk-2.24.0 directory.
During the first configuration there will be error messages, since CMake will not find libraries. Set option CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32 If the correct directory is specified then CMake will find the libraries and there should be no error.
Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

pango library

Configuration in CMake

Unzip the pango-1.40.5.tar.xz file into directory c:\work\gtk. The original package can be found at the official web site.
Copy the contents of pango-1.40.5-ivanyi.zip file into the c:\work\gtk\pango-1.40.5 directory.
During the first configuration there will be error messages, since CMake will not find libraries. Set option CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX to the value c:\work\gtk\vs14\Win32 If the correct directory is specified then CMake will find the libraries and there should be no error.
Generate the project files in CMake by pressing button "Generate".

Building process

Compile the Release version
The "INSTALL" project has to be built at the end, separately. This will install all required files.

Compilation of GTK+ 3.0 in Windows

Preliminary steps

Compiling glib and prerequisites

intl library

zlib library

Explanations to the files in zlib-1.2.8-ivanyi.zip

Configuration in CMake

Building process

pcre library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

ffi library

Explanations to the files in ffi-3.2.1-ivanyi.zip

Configuration in CMake

Building process

glib library

Explanations to the files in glib-2.52.1-ivanyi.zip

Configuration in CMake

Building process

Compiling gtk+ and prerequisites

libpng library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

libjpeg-turbo library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

jasper library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

tiff library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

pixman library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

cairo library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

atk library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

pango library

Configuration in CMake

Building process

gdk-pixbuf library

libepoxy library

gtk+ library