What is the meaning of the qt install file

cokefish

For example, the two below:

Qt 5.1.0 for Windows 64-bit (VS 2012, OpenGL, 522 MB)

          qt-windows-opensource-5.1.0-msvc2012_opengl-x86_64-offline.exe

Qt 5.1.0 for Windows 32-bit (MinGW 4.8, 666 MB)

          qt-windows-opensource-5.1.0-mingw48_opengl-x86-offline.exe

what is the difference between the two, and
what do "msvc2012" and "mingw48" mean?

qxoz

Well,
MinGW 4.8 - is a minimalist GNU compiller "link":http://www.mingw.org/
msvc2012 - is a VisualStudio compiller "link":http://search.microsoft.com/en-us/DownloadResults.aspx?q=visual+studio+2012&x=-977&y=-143

installers contains pre build binaries for compilers, becouse they are binary incompatible.

qxoz

By the way MinGW version already contains compiler inside, however for using MSVC version you need install compiler yourself (for example VisualStudio "Express":http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=34673 )

raven-worx

just a little side note:
dont go with the msvc version if you are planning to use Visual Studio Express editions. You can't use the plugin with the express editions and thus you would need to create all the moc files manually and add them to the project. Especially when you are new to Qt then use the mingw version.

cokefish

So that the msvc2012 binary does not contain a compiler in itself,
I need to do the compiler configuration by myself after I install the binary?

And what does the "plugin" means,
does it the same thing with the binary, or an other binary?

Thank you.

raven-worx

[quote author="cokefish" date="1373007382"]So that the msvc2012 binary does not contain a compiler in itself,
I need to do the compiler configuration by myself after I install the binary?
[/quote]
These packages are already to use and compile using the msvc compiler. So all you need is a Visual Studio software.

[quote author="cokefish" date="1373007382"]
And what does the "plugin" means,
does it the same thing with the binary, or an other binary?
[/quote]

There is a plugin for the Visual Studio IDE available (also on the download page) which makes your life easier working with Qt in Visual Studio. Just like it is already possible in QtCreator.

Which rings a bell in my mind:
Actually you can also download the msvc binaries and install the visual studio express edition. And for development you can use Qt Creator IDE (and use the msvc compiler from the VS express edition).

Jeroentjehome

Forget the MSVC compiler stuff, at start just stick to the MinGw version! Later when you encounter qmake stuff, add libraries etc and have more experience with compilers/make files and IDE's start looking for other ways of compilation.
Just to clarify the difference in packages, it has to do how each compile create it's code. From your c/C++ files the compiler will generate some kind of object code (usually .obj or .o files). All your function names etc get some sort of prefix from the compiler so the linker will understand what to do. Every compiler is free to use what ever prefix/suffix it wants as long as its own linker understands what to do with it and that is "link" every piece of object code together. The packages on the download page are already created with the different compilers so the used linker is able to "link" to the Qt framework/libraries. Otherwise your linker (let's say MinGw based) will not be able to find function names etc in a MSVC compiled binairy! causing a build error.
So when you download the MinGw package you get the MinGw compiler/linker as well, so you are able to compile/link and run it together. This is the easiest way of getting up and running with Qt.
The MSVC binaries must be linked using the MSVC compiler/linker so you need to download the Microsoft Visual Studio express C++ from there website and get that compiler. Now it is possible to use QtCreator and compile with the MSVC compiler no problem. But then again you probably need a debugger as well, sorry, that used to be a separate download as well (might be included in MSVC express though). If you done these steps correctly you can compile/link/run and debug your application in QtCreator with the MSVC compiler. Like Raven said it's not so easy to use Visual Studio express as IDE because of the integration with Qt isn't supplied. You should use the pro version for the add-on plug-in.
So, stick to MinGw, get to know Qt.
Hope this explains it a bit ;-)