# KTurtle

> educational programming environment for turtle graphics

**Wikidata**: [Q600450](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q600450)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kturtle

## Summary
KTurtle is an educational programming environment designed for learning the basics of computer programming through turtle graphics. It is free software released under the GNU General Public License and is part of the KDE Gear suite of applications. The platform supports the Logo programming language and is available on Linux, Unix-like operating systems, and Microsoft Windows.

## Key Facts
- **License:** GNU General Public License (Free Software).
- **Category:** Educational software, programming language environment.
- **Component:** Part of the KDE Gear software bundle.
- **Supported Language:** Primarily supports the Logo programming language for instruction.
- **Platforms:** Runs on Linux, Unix-like operating systems, and Microsoft Windows.
- **Interface:** Built using the Qt graphical toolkit/framework.
- **Source Code:** Hosted primarily at `https://invent.kde.org/education/kturtle` with mirrors on GitHub.
- **Distribution:** Available via Flathub (`org.kde.kturtle`), Snap (`kturtle`), and native repositories for Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Gentoo, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD.
- **Release History:** Documented stable releases range from version 16.04.0 (April 14, 2016) to version 18.04.1 (May 8, 2018) in the provided data.

## FAQs
### Q: What is KTurtle used for?
A: KTurtle is used as an educational tool to teach the basics of programming. It uses "turtle graphics," where a user controls a turtle on the screen to draw shapes and patterns, making coding concepts visually accessible to beginners.

### Q: What programming language does KTurtle use?
A: KTurtle supports the Logo programming language. It provides an environment where users can write Logo commands to control the turtle and create graphics.

### Q: Is KTurtle free to use?
A: Yes, KTurtle is free software licensed under the GNU General Public License. It is developed as part of the KDE project and is available at no cost.

### Q: Can I run KTurtle on Windows?
A: Yes, KTurtle runs on Microsoft Windows in addition to Linux and other Unix-like operating systems.

## Why It Matters
KTurtle serves as an accessible entry point into the world of computer programming. By utilizing turtle graphics—a concept historically significant in computer science education—it lowers the barrier to entry for students and beginners who may find abstract code challenging. Instead of focusing solely on syntax, users receive immediate visual feedback, allowing them to grasp fundamental logic structures like loops and variables effectively.

As a component of KDE Gear, it integrates seamlessly into the Linux desktop ecosystem while maintaining cross-platform compatibility with Windows. Its status as free and open-source software ensures that it remains a cost-effective resource for schools and individuals. The availability across multiple distribution channels (Flathub, Snap, native Linux repositories) ensures that it can be easily installed on a wide variety of systems without complex configuration.

## Notable For
- **Educational Focus:** Specifically designed as a learning environment rather than a production development tool.
- **Turtle Graphics:** Implements the classic Logo approach to vector graphics, a staple of early computer science education.
- **KDE Integration:** A recognized component of the KDE Gear collection, ensuring high compatibility with the Qt framework and Linux desktop standards.
- **Cross-Platform Availability:** Distinct from many Linux-centric educational tools by offering support for Microsoft Windows.
- **Wide Distribution:** Features extensive package availability across major Linux distributions (Debian, Arch, Fedora) and BSD variants.

## Body

### Overview and Purpose
KTurtle is an educational programming environment that facilitates the learning of coding through "turtle graphics." In this environment, the user issues commands to a graphical turtle to draw lines and shapes on the screen. This visual method helps users understand programming logic and geometry. The software is classified as educational software and free software, identifiable by its logo (KTurtle_logo.svg) and described as an environment for turtle graphics.

### Technical Specifications
The application is built using the Qt framework (`gui_toolkit_or_framework`), making it native to the KDE Plasma desktop but adaptable to other environments. The underlying software is written in C++ (referenced as `programming_language: Q2407`). KTurtle executes scripts written in the Logo programming language.

**Operating System Support:**
- Linux
- Unix-like operating systems
- Microsoft Windows

### Version History
The provided source material documents a progression of releases primarily under the KDE Applications banner.
- **Version 16.04.0:** Released April 14, 2016.
- **Version 16.04.1:** Released May 6, 2016 (Stable).
- **Version 16.04.3:** Released July 7, 2016 (Stable).
- **Version 16.08.0:** Released August 12, 2016 (Stable).
- **Version 17.12.1:** Released January 9, 2018 (Stable).
- **Version 17.12.2:** Released February 6, 2018 (Stable).
- **Version 17.12.3:** Released March 6, 2018.
- **Version 18.04.0:** Released April 13, 2018 (Stable).
- **Version 18.04.1:** Released May 8, 2018 (Stable).

A beta version, 18.03.80, was also noted on March 23, 2018.

### Availability and Installation
KTurtle is widely distributed through various software repositories and package managers, ensuring accessibility for different user bases.

**Package Identifiers:**
- **Flathub:** `org.kde.kturtle`
- **Snap:** `kturtle`
- **Ubuntu/Fedora/Debian/Gentoo:** Available as `kturtle` or `kde-apps/kturtle`.
- **BSD Ports:** Available in FreeBSD (`lang/kturtle`), OpenBSD (`x11/kde-applications/kturtle`), and NetBSD (`misc/kturtle`).

**Source Code:**
The primary source code repository is hosted on KDE's GitLab instance at `https://invent.kde.org/education/kturtle`. A mirror is maintained on GitHub at `https://github.com/KDE/kturtle`. Official information and documentation can be found at `https://edu.kde.org/kturtle/` and `https://apps.kde.org/kturtle/`.

## References

1. [The kturtle Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/kturtle/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
2. [Source](http://download.kde.org/stable/applications/16.04.0/src/)
3. [Source](http://download.kde.org/stable/applications/16.04.1/src/)
4. [Source](http://download.kde.org/stable/applications/16.04.3/src/)
5. [Source](http://download.kde.org/stable/applications/16.08.0/src/)
6. [Index of /stable/applications/17.12.1/src](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/17.12.1/src/)
7. [Source](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/17.12.2/src/)
8. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/17.12.3/src/)
9. [download archive](https://download.kde.org/unstable/applications/18.03.80/src/)
10. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.04.0/src/)
11. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.04.1/src/)
12. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.04.2/src/)
13. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.04.3/src/)
14. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.08.0/src/)
15. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.08.1/src/)
16. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.08.2/src/)
17. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.08.3/src/)
18. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.12.2/src/)
19. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.12.3/src/)
20. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/19.04.0/src/)
21. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/19.04.1/src/)
22. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/19.04.2/src/)
23. [24.05.1 Releases Source Info Page](https://kde.org/info/releases-24.05.1/)
24. [Source](https://www.kde.org/applications/)
25. [Source](https://kde.org/applications/)
26. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
27. [Source](https://packages.debian.org/stretch/kturtle)