KDE focuses on the user's needs, but it's obvious that this focus is more easily achieved by also giving developers the best tools. KDE code contains, and comes with, some of the best development technologies of the modern computing age.

Authoring applications under UNIX®/X11 used to be an extremely tedious and labor intensive process. KDE recognizes the fact that a computing platform is only as good as the number of first class applications available to the users of that particular platform.

KDE defines new technologies in DCOP and KParts, created to offer a component document model and technology. Together with the complete KDE libraries programming interface, DCOP/KParts are set in direct competition with other similar technologies like Microsoft® MFC/COM/ActiveX technologies. The excellent quality and the high level of refinement of KDE's application programming interface (API) enables developers to focus on original and interesting issues and avoid reinventing the wheel.