How to Set Background Color of Selected Text of GtkText Widget with CSS: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to this tutorial, where we’ll dive into the world of GTK+ and CSS to explore how to set the background color of selected text in a GtkText widget. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, this guide is designed to walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you have a solid understanding of the concepts and techniques involved.

Why Use CSS for Styling GtkText Widgets?

• Easy maintenance and updates
• Consistent design across the application
• Improved performance
• Seperation of presentation and content

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following installed and set up on your system:

• GTK+ 3.x or higher
• A C compiler (e.g., GCC)
• A code editor or IDE of your choice

Creating a Sample GtkText Widget

Let’s start by creating a simple GtkText widget in a C program. Create a new file called `gtk_text_widget.c` and add the following code:

#include <gtk/gtk.h>

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
  GtkWidget *window, *text_view, *scrolled_window;

  gtk_init(&argc, &argv);

  window = gtk_window_new(GTK_WINDOW_TOPLEVEL);
  gtk_window_set_title(GTK_WINDOW(window), "GtkText Widget Example");

  scrolled_window = gtk_scrolled_window_new(NULL, NULL);
  gtk_container_add(GTK_CONTAINER(window), scrolled_window);

  text_view = gtk_text_view_new();
  gtk_container_add(GTK_CONTAINER(scrolled_window), text_view);

  gtk_widget_show_all(window);

  gtk_main();

  return 0;
}

Compile the code using the following command:

gcc -o gtk_text_widget gtk_text_widget.c `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtk+-3.0`

Run the program using `./gtk_text_widget` to see the resulting window with a GtkText widget.

Styling the GtkText Widget with CSS

Now that we have our GtkText widget up and running, let’s create a CSS file to style it. Create a new file called `gtk_text_widget.css` and add the following code:

 GtkTextView {
  background-color: #f0f0f0;
}

GtkTextView:selected {
  background-color: #87ceeb;
}

In this CSS file, we’re targeting the `GtkTextView` element and setting its background color to `#f0f0f0`. We’re also targeting the `:selected` pseudo-class to set the background color of the selected text to `#87ceeb`.

Loading the CSS File in Our C Program

To load the CSS file in our C program, we’ll use the `gtk_css_provider_new` function to create a new CSS provider, and then add the CSS file to it. Add the following code to your `gtk_text_widget.c` file, just before the `gtk_widget_show_all(window)` line:

GtkCssProvider *provider = gtk_css_provider_new();
gtk_css_provider_load_from_file(provider, "gtk_text_widget.css", NULL);
gtk_style_context_add_provider_for_screen(gdk_screen_get_default(),
                                          GTK_STYLE_PROVIDER(provider),
                                          GTK_STYLE_PROVIDER_PRIORITY_APPLICATION);

This code creates a new CSS provider, loads the `gtk_text_widget.css` file into it, and then adds the provider to the default screen.

Running the Program

Recompile the program using the same command as before:

gcc -o gtk_text_widget gtk_text_widget.c `pkg-config --cflags --libs gtk+-3.0`

Run the program using `./gtk_text_widget` to see the styled GtkText widget with the selected text background color set to `#87ceeb`.

Customizing the Selected Text Background Color

Now that we have the basics working, let’s explore how to customize the selected text background color. We can do this by modifying the `gtk_text_widget.css` file. Try changing the `background-color` value of the `GtkTextView:selected` pseudo-class to a different color, such as `#ff69b4`:

GtkTextView:selected {
  background-color: #ff69b4;
}

Rerun the program to see the updated selected text background color.

Additional Styling Options

With CSS, the possibilities for styling your GtkText widget are endless! Here are some additional styling options you can try:

Property	Description
`color`	Sets the text color of the GtkText widget.
`font-family`	Sets the font family of the GtkText widget.
`font-size`	Sets the font size of the GtkText widget.
`padding`	Sets the padding of the GtkText widget.
`border`	Sets the border of the GtkText widget.

Try experimenting with different values and combinations of these properties to achieve the desired look and feel for your GtkText widget.

Conclusion

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored how to set the background color of selected text in a GtkText widget using CSS. We’ve covered the basics of creating a GtkText widget, styling it with CSS, and customizing the selected text background color. With the power of CSS, you can take your GtkText widget to the next level and create a visually stunning application that sets you apart from the rest.

Remember to experiment with different styling options and techniques to achieve the desired look and feel for your application. Happy coding!

1. GTK+ 3.x or higher
2. A C compiler (e.g., GCC)
3. A code editor or IDE of your choice

By following this guide, you’ve taken the first step in mastering the art of styling GtkText widgets with CSS. Don’t stop here! Continue exploring the world of GTK+ and CSS to unlock the full potential of your applications.

Frequently Asked Question

Want to know the secret to styling your GtkText widget with a customized background color for selected text? Look no further! Here are the top 5 FAQs to get you started.