PyGObject

PyGObject is the Python bindings for GObject-based libraries, enabling Python developers to write native GNOME applications. It uses the GObject Introspection framework to provide dynamic bindings to libraries that expose GIR data, accessed through the gi.repository module.

The bindings cover major GNOME libraries such as GTK for GUI, GLib, Gio, Gdk, Pango, Cairo, as well as multimedia and web modules like GStreamer and WebKitGTK. They allow Python code to create and manipulate GObjects, connect to signals, and use the object-oriented APIs provided by these libraries. GTK 3 and GTK 4 are supported.

Architecture and usage: PyGObject loads introspection data at runtime and generates Python proxy objects for C types. Developers typically import modules with from gi.repository import Gtk, Gdk, GLib, etc., then construct widgets and run a GTK main loop. The gi module handles type mappings, signals, and memory management across the Python-C boundary.

Installation and scope: On Linux, PyGObject is typically installed via distribution packages (for example python3-gi and gir1.2-gtk-3.0). Windows and macOS provide prebuilt installers. A working GTK runtime and development headers are required. PyGObject complements other Python GUI options by providing bindings to GNOME libraries without reimplementing them in Python.

Development and status: PyGObject is maintained by the GNOME project and the community. It serves as a bridge between Python and a broad ecosystem of GNOME libraries, enabling Python developers to build GUI applications and leverage GNOME technologies with a single language.