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diff --git a/sources/pyside6/doc/faq/whyqtforpython.rst b/sources/pyside6/doc/faq/whyqtforpython.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0f0ab9aaf --- /dev/null +++ b/sources/pyside6/doc/faq/whyqtforpython.rst @@ -0,0 +1,203 @@ +.. _whyqtforpython: + +Why Qt for Python? +================== + +.. image:: tiobe.png + :width: 0 + +.. raw:: html + + <div style="float: right; padding-left: 20px; max-width: 30%; + background-color: #e9eff5; padding-top: 5px;"> + <img src="../_images/tiobe.png" + style="width: 90%;" + alt="TIOBE index for Python" /> + <p style="font-size: 80%;"> + Screenshot from + <a href="https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/python/">tiobe.com/tiobe-index/python</a>, + on 2021.09.06 + </p> + </div> + +To answer this question we need to take a step back, and talk a bit about +languages. + +Python has been around for almost the same amount of years that Qt has, +and similarly it has been growing, and transforming to become the most used, +loved, and demanded language for many programming areas. + +Currently (2021), it's rare to be aware of Machine Learning and Artificial +Intelligence, without having heard of Python. Similarly, when we hear about +Data Science/Analysis/Engineering we know that it is most probably related +to Python. + +One can validate this statements by public surveys that have been showing +the evolution and preference of the Python language, like the StackOverflow +Surveys of the lasts years: + ++----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ +| | 2019_ | 2020_ | 2021_ | ++======================+===========+===========+===========+ +| Most Loved Language | 2nd place | 3rd place | 6th place | ++----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ +| Most Wanted Language | 1st place | 1st place | 1st place | ++----------------------+-----------+-----------+-----------+ + +and the `TIOBE index`_ (image on the right). + +It's natural to think that this sources might not be enough to judge the +language in general terms, but it certainly highlights a trend among +developers around the world. + +Lowering the Qt Barrier +----------------------- + +Veteran C++ developers will have no problem with setting up a Qt +application from scratch, or even manage to understand a different +code base written with Qt. In addition, many teams are multidisciplinary, +and other project/company developers might not be fluent in C++. + +Python has been luring people into programming, and for the same reason +it's not uncommon that even people with a different background are able +to write code, meaning that different teams are enabled to speak +"the same language". + +Creating Qt applications in Python requires only a few lines of code, +and not much configuration is required to execute it. As an /unfair/ +example, let's check the code of a simple hello world application: + +.. tab-set:: + + .. tab-item:: C++ Header + + .. code-block:: cpp + + #ifndef MAINWINDOW_H + #define MAINWINDOW_H + + #include <QMainWindow> + #include <QPushButton> + + class MainWindow : public QMainWindow + { + Q_OBJECT + public: + MainWindow(QWidget *parent = nullptr); + private slots: + void handleButton(); + private: + QPushButton *m_button; + }; + + #endif // MAINWINDOW_H + + .. tab-item:: C++ Implementation + + .. code-block:: cpp + + #include "mainwindow.h" + + MainWindow::MainWindow(QWidget *parent) + : QMainWindow(parent) + { + m_button = new QPushButton("My Button", this); + connect(m_button, SIGNAL(clicked()), this, + SLOT(handleButton())); + } + + void MainWindow::handleButton() + { + m_button->setText("Ready"); + } + + .. tab-item:: C++ Main + + .. code-block:: cpp + + #include <QApplication> + #include "mainwindow.h" + + int main(int argc, char *argv[]) + { + QApplication app(argc, argv); + MainWindow mainWindow; + mainWindow.show(); + return app.exec(d); + } + +.. tab-set:: + + .. tab-item:: Python + + .. code-block:: python + + import sys + from pyside6.QtWidgets import (QApplication, QMainWindow, + QPushButton) + + class MainWindow(QMainWindow): + def __init__(self, parent=None): + QMainWindow.__init__(self, parent) + self.button = QPushButton("My Button", self) + self.button.clicked.connect(self.handleButton) + + def handleButton(self): + self.button.setText("Ready") + + if __name__ == "__main__": + app = QApplication([]) + mainWindow = MainWindow() + mainWindow.show() + sys.exit(app.exec()) + +It's fair to say that most of the boilerplate code is provided by many +good IDEs, like QtCreator, but using external tools certainly requires +some practice to use them and get familiarized. + +Unity Makes Strength +-------------------- + +In our mission to enable more developers to enter the Qt World, it's +important to note that this doesn't imply C++ developers are forgotten. + +Together with the bindings, Qt for Python provides our binding generator, +Shiboken (Check :ref:`whatisshiboken`), whose functionality has +extensibly been shown by talks on events such as those from our +:ref:`video-gallery` section. + +Generating bindings between two languages it nothing new, but it has +always been a non-trivial task, mainly for being as-compatible-as-possible +when using external modules/libraries in your project. + +Shiboken's main use case is to extend Qt/C++ project's +functionality, making them **scriptable**. + +What does it mean for an application to be scriptable? + +* enables a interpreted language to interact directly with the Qt/C++ + application, +* provide the option to modify and create components/elements of the + application from Python, +* possibility to create a plugins/add-ons system for the application. +* complement a process with external Python functionality. + +Check out this `Shiboken Webinar`_ for a hands-on example. + +Shiboken excels at Qt-dependent binding generation, meaning that +any Qt/C++ project can be easily exposed to Python. +In addition, Shiboken has proven its support for C++ projects (without Qt), +as shown on event talks and `blog posts`. + +Adding Python support to well known solutions/projects is a pattern we keep +seeing in the industry, on a broad range of devices. +This is why we are working every day to improve the Qt for Python offering. + +We believe both Qt and Python will benefit from this interaction. + +.. _2019: https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2019 +.. _2020: https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2020 +.. _2021: https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2021 +.. _`TIOBE index`: https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/ +.. _`blog posts`: https://www.qt.io/blog/tag/qt-for-python +.. _`Shiboken Webinar`: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOMlDutOWXI |