View source for AtkSharp

{{Infobox software
| name           = AtkSharp
| logo           = GTK_logo.svg
| developer      = GNOME Project, Xamarin, and community contributors
| released       = {{Start date|2002}}
| programming_language = C#
| operating_system = Cross-platform
| platform       = .NET, Mono
| genre          = Accessibility library bindings
| license        = GNU Lesser General Public License
| website        = [https://github.com/GtkSharp/GtkSharp GitHub repository]
}}

'''AtkSharp''' is a set of [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] bindings for the [[ATK (Accessibility Toolkit)|ATK]] (Accessibility Toolkit) library.  
It is part of the [[GtkSharp]] project and provides managed access to the GNOME accessibility infrastructure for use in [[.NET (software framework)|.NET]] and [[Mono (software)|Mono]] applications.

== Overview of ATK ==
'''ATK''' is the Accessibility Toolkit developed as part of the [[GNOME]] project.  
It defines a set of interfaces that enable assistive technologies—such as screen readers, magnifiers, and on-screen keyboards—to interact with user interface components in a consistent and device-independent way.

The ATK framework works in conjunction with the [[Assistive Technology Service Provider Interface]] (AT-SPI), forming the foundation of accessibility on Linux and other Unix-like systems.  
Through ATK, applications expose semantic information about their widgets, including role, name, state, and relationships, allowing assistive technologies to provide meaningful interaction for users with disabilities.

== AtkSharp ==
AtkSharp provides a managed C# interface to the native ATK library, enabling .NET and Mono applications that use [[GtkSharp]] to integrate accessibility features directly.  

Using AtkSharp, developers can:
* Implement accessible objects and expose them to assistive technologies  
* Set and retrieve roles, names, descriptions, and states of UI elements  
* Support navigation and interaction via accessibility APIs  
* Ensure compliance with accessibility standards such as WCAG and Section 508  

AtkSharp maps the ATK object model to .NET classes, offering an idiomatic and object-oriented API for defining accessible widgets and interfaces.

== Relationship to other GtkSharp components ==
AtkSharp operates in close coordination with other GtkSharp bindings:
* [[GtkSharp]] – Provides the main widget toolkit; GTK widgets automatically expose ATK interfaces via AtkSharp.  
* [[GLibSharp]] – Supplies the base type system, signals, and object model used by AtkSharp.  
* [[GdkSharp]] – Provides low-level input and display handling that may be relevant to accessibility events.  

== Version compatibility ==
AtkSharp versions correspond to the GTK versions they accompany:
* **AtkSharp 2.x** – For GTK 2  
* **AtkSharp 3.x** – For GTK 3 (current stable bindings)  
* **AtkSharp 4.x** – Planned for GTK 4 with introspection-based generation  

== Importance ==
Accessibility support is a core design principle of modern desktop environments.  
AtkSharp ensures that GTK-based .NET applications can be used by people with disabilities, contributing to inclusive software design across platforms.

== See also ==
* [[ATK (Accessibility Toolkit)]]
* [[GtkSharp]]
* [[GLibSharp]]
* [[Mono (software)]]
* [[Assistive Technology Service Provider Interface]]

== External links ==
* [https://github.com/GtkSharp/GtkSharp Official GtkSharp repository on GitHub]
* [https://developer.gnome.org/atk/ Official ATK documentation]
* [https://www.mono-project.com/docs/gui/gtksharp/ Gtk# documentation (Mono Project)]

[[Category:GTK]]
[[Category:ATK]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in C Sharp]]
[[Category:Accessibility software]]
[[Category:Mono (software)]]
[[Category:Cross-platform software]]
[[Category:Graphical user interface toolkits]]