# Step

> physics simulation software for KDE

**Wikidata**: [Q1054682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1054682)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_(software))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/step

## Summary
Step is a free and open-source physics simulation software developed as part of the KDE Education Project. It runs on Linux and is designed to simulate physical phenomena, making it a useful tool for educational and scientific applications.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Physics simulation software
- **Operating System**: Linux
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 2.0
- **Part of**: KDE Education Project and KDE Gear
- **Initial Release**: 2008-07-29 (version 0.1.0)
- **Latest Version**: v17.12.1 (2018-01-11)
- **Programming Language**: C++ (as per Open Hub data)
- **GUI Framework**: Qt
- **Source Code**: Hosted on GitHub and GitLab
- **Package Availability**: Available on Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, and Ubuntu

## FAQs
### Q: What is Step used for?
A: Step is primarily used for physics simulations, making it a valuable tool for educational purposes, scientific research, and understanding physical phenomena.

### Q: Is Step free to use?
A: Yes, Step is free and open-source software, licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0.

### Q: On which operating system does Step run?
A: Step is designed to run on Linux, a family of Unix-like operating systems.

### Q: How can I contribute to Step?
A: You can contribute to Step by accessing its source code repositories on GitHub or GitLab and submitting your changes.

### Q: Is there a community or support available for Step?
A: Yes, users can report issues or seek support through the KDE bug tracker at [bugs.kde.org](https://bugs.kde.org/buglist.cgi?product=step).

## Why It Matters
Step plays a significant role in the KDE ecosystem by providing a specialized tool for physics simulations. Its open-source nature allows for community contributions and customization, making it accessible to educators, researchers, and enthusiasts. By simulating physical phenomena, Step aids in learning and experimentation, bridging the gap between theoretical physics and practical application. Its integration with the KDE platform ensures compatibility with other KDE applications, enhancing the overall user experience. The software's availability across various Linux distributions further extends its reach, making it a valuable resource for those working in fields requiring physics simulations.

## Notable For
- **Educational Focus**: Step is part of the KDE Education Project, indicating its primary use in educational settings.
- **Open-Source Development**: The software is developed in the open, allowing for community contributions and transparency.
- **Cross-Platform Availability**: Available on multiple Linux distributions, ensuring broad accessibility.
- **Qt Integration**: Built using the Qt framework, ensuring a consistent and user-friendly interface.
- **Active Development**: Regular updates and version releases demonstrate ongoing maintenance and improvement.

## Body
### Overview
Step is a physics simulation software developed as part of the KDE Education Project. It is designed to run on Linux and is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0. The software was first released on July 29, 2008, with version 0.1.0. Since then, it has undergone several updates, with the latest version being v17.12.1, released on January 11, 2018.

### Development and Distribution
Step is developed using C++ and utilizes the Qt framework for its graphical user interface. The source code is hosted on GitHub and GitLab, allowing for community contributions. The software is available as packages for various Linux distributions, including Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, and Ubuntu. This wide availability ensures that users across different Linux environments can easily install and use Step.

### Usage and Support
Step is primarily used for educational purposes, providing a tool for simulating physical phenomena. Users can report issues or seek support through the KDE bug tracker. The software's integration with the KDE platform ensures compatibility with other KDE applications, enhancing the overall user experience. Its open-source nature allows for customization and modification, making it a flexible tool for various applications.

### Historical Context
The development of Step began in 2007, with the initial project hosted on SourceForge. Over the years, the software has evolved, with regular updates and version releases. The most recent updates include revisions tagged as v17.08.0 (August 17, 2017) and v17.08.1 (September 7, 2017), demonstrating ongoing maintenance and improvement. These updates ensure that Step remains a reliable tool for physics simulations.

### Conclusion
Step is a valuable addition to the KDE ecosystem, providing a specialized tool for physics simulations. Its open-source nature, cross-platform availability, and educational focus make it a useful resource for educators, researchers, and enthusiasts. The software's active development and community support ensure its continued relevance and improvement.

## References

1. [The step Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/step/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
2. [The KDE Education Project - Step](https://edu.kde.org/step)
3. [Source](https://cgit.kde.org/step.git/tree/step/main.cc#n31)
4. [Increased version number to 0.1.0.. 2008](https://cgit.kde.org/step.git/commit/step/main.cc?id=3378b4737e5abbbf2efb51018b2cb106a274685d)
5. [Source](https://cgit.kde.org/step.git/refs/)
6. [Source](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v17.12.1)
7. [KDE 4.1.0](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.1.0)
8. [KDE 4.1 RC1](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.0.98)
9. [KDE 4.1 Beta2](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.0.83)
10. [KDE 4.1 beta1](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.0.80)
11. [KDE 4.1 alpha1](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.0.71)
12. [ChangeLog](https://cgit.kde.org/step.git/tree/ChangeLog)
13. [Source](http://stepcore.sourceforge.net/)
14. [Source](https://cgit.kde.org/step.git/tree/step/main.cc?id=f58eb4a0bb33a13480e6473c77503ae6baddaa60#n26)
15. [Increased version number. 2007](https://cgit.kde.org/step.git/commit/step/main.cc?id=6a59f290498a3f7c7f45e76f78c5ba16fb39824d)
16. [Source](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/17.12.2/src/)
17. [Release 17.12.2. 2018](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v17.12.2)
18. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/17.12.3/src/)
19. [Release 17.12.3. 2018](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v17.12.3)
20. [download archive](https://download.kde.org/unstable/applications/18.03.80/src/)
21. [Release 18.03.80. 2018](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v18.03.80)
22. [Index of /stable/applications/18.04.0/src](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.04.0/src/)
23. [Release 18.04.0. 2018](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v18.04.0)
24. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.04.1/src/)
25. [Release 18.04.1. 2018](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v18.04.1)
26. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.04.2/src/)
27. [Release 18.04.2. 2018](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v18.04.2)
28. [Download archive](https://download.kde.org/stable/applications/18.04.3/src/)
29. [Release 18.04.3. 2018](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v18.04.3)
30. [Release 4.11.3. 2013](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.11.3)
31. [Release 4.11.4. 2013](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.11.4)
32. [Release 4.11.5. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.11.5)
33. [Release 4.11.80. 2013](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.11.80)
34. [Release 4.11.90. 2013](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.11.90)
35. [Release 4.11.95. 2013](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.11.95)
36. [Release 4.11.97. 2013](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.11.97)
37. [Release 4.12.0. 2013](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.0)
38. [Release 4.12.1. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.1)
39. [Release 4.12.2. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.2)
40. [Release 4.12.3. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.3)
41. [Release 4.12.4. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.4)
42. [Release 4.12.5. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.5)
43. [Release 4.12.80. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.80)
44. [Release 4.12.90. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.90)
45. [Release 4.12.95. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.95)
46. [Release 4.12.97. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.12.97)
47. [Release 4.13.0. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.13.0)
48. [Release 4.13.1. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.13.1)
49. [Release 4.13.2. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.13.2)
50. [Release 4.13.3. 2014](https://github.com/KDE/step/releases/tag/v4.13.3)