PyQt, Qt, Windows and Linux

[Alex Martelli]

Vamsi Mudrageda wrote:

> I am kind of new to Python, and after trying and using wxPython, I found
> it kind of lacking in easy-to-read documentation, speed at loading, and
> GUI response-time.
> 
> So I am looking for an another GUI toolkit that is cross-platform for
> Python, and am leaning toward PyQt (PyGTK is kind of dull looking in
> comparison).  Unfortunately, although TrollTech says Qt is
> cross-platform, its license strategy has me a bit confused.  So here is
> to hoping someone can help...
> 
> Objective:
>    Develop/Write a program for personal use on my Linux using PyQt.  Be
> able to also run it on Windows.
> 
> Questions:
> 1) Is it legally possible to do that?

Yes.

> 2) Do I need to buy a license from TrollTech?

Yes, or from one of Trolltech's licensed resellers of licenses.  The
cheapest way you can proceed, I believe, is to buy Blackadder, personal
edition, from theKompany.com: it comes with personal-use licenses of
PyQt and Qt for both Linux and Windows (I _think_ mac, too, but I don't
know about that).  I believe it currently costs US $70 .

> 3) Can I create a .exe file for my windows on my Linux and copy it over?

That's an issue for such tools as py2exe and McMillan's "installer"; at
this time, I do not believe they support that "cross-packaging"
functionality.  However, you surely _can_ package things up with the
distutils, e.g. into a .zip, and copy over and install that package
on Windows; that may not be quite as smooth but it should work fine.

>   (I would like to develop the program entirely on Linux, but make
> executables for other platforms).

In the approach I'd suggest you WOULD develop entirely on Linux, but
the other platforms would first separately install Python and needed
extensions, then install your specific program by unpacking the .zip
and running "python setup.py install" -- not TOO bad, I think.


Alex