Version 2.0 of KDE features innovations in the API and the use of KOM techniques. This book introduces C++ programmers to the K Desktop Environment with a comprehensive tutorial ranging from general principles and libraries to component programming and interprogram communications. Two of the authors have served as active contributors to this KDE release. This experience uniquely qualifies them to deliver an up-to-date perspective of the system, as well as demonstration projects and significant portions of reusable code.