Introduction to PyQt
PyQt is a set of Python bindings for the Qt application framework and runs on all platforms supported by Qt including Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, and Android. PyQt is available under the GPL and commercial licenses.
Brief History of PyQt
PyQt was first released in 1998 by Riverbank Computing. The current version, PyQt6, was released in 2022 and is compatible with both Python 3 only. The development of PyQt is led by Phil Thompson, the original developer of PyQt.
Pros and Cons of PyQt
Pros:
- PyQt is a powerful tool for creating desktop applications.
- PyQt is compatible with both Python 2(PyQt5) and Python 3.
- PyQt has a large user community and is well-documented.
- PyQt is available under both the GPL and commercial licenses.
Cons:
- PyQt is not the easiest tool to learn, especially for beginners.
- PyQt applications may have a larger footprint compared to other frameworks.
Features of PyQt
- PyQt includes over 620 classes and 6000 functions and methods.
- PyQt provides support for multimedia, including a video widget, Phonon module, and a multimedia framework.
- PyQt provides support for database connectivity through the QtSql module.
- PyQt provides support for multithreading.
- PyQt provides support for network programming through the QtNetwork module.
Use Cases of PyQt
PyQt is used for creating desktop applications in a variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. Some examples of applications built with PyQt include:
- Anki - a popular flashcard application
- Clementine - a music player
- Krita - a digital painting application
- Auryo - a Soundcloud desktop app
Popular apps or games built with PyQt
While PyQt is primarily used for creating desktop applications, it can also be used to create games. Some examples of games built with PyQt include:
- Qmmp - a music player
- Quassel - a distributed IRC client
- Luminance HDR - a tool for creating and editing HDR images.
- Comix - a comic book viewer
Android apps or games built with PyQt
It is not common to build android apps or games with PyQt since PyQt is a set of Python bindings for the Qt application framework and it is primarily used for creating desktop applications on Windows, OS X, Linux, and other platforms supported by Qt. However, it is technically possible to use PyQt for Android development with the help of tools such as PySide, which provides bindings for Qt for Python, and the Necessitas project, which is a port of Qt to Android.
The Necessitas project allows developers to build android apps using Qt and PySide. It provides a full-featured SDK, including the Qt libraries, the QtCreator IDE and PySide bindings. With the Necessitas project, developers can use PyQt to create android apps, but this solution is not as popular as other solutions like Java, Kotlin, and flutter.
It is worth mentioning that if you want to develop android apps it would be more recommended to use android-specific frameworks such as Java, Kotlin, or flutter, which are more optimized for mobile development.
In conclusion, PyQt is a powerful tool for creating desktop applications with a wide range of features. It has a large user community and is well-documented, making it easy for developers to find solutions to common problems. However, it can be challenging to learn, especially for beginners. It's important to weigh the pros and cons before deciding to use PyQt for a project. Some use cases include creating applications in finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, as well as games. Overall, PyQt is a solid choice for creating feature-rich desktop applications and has a proven track record of success in various industries.