Create linked qml module

[Andrew Strokov]

I create qml module DataModel

    qt_add_library(DataModel SHARED)
    qt_add_qml_module(DataModel
    URI DataModel
    VERSION 1.0
    PLUGIN_TARGET DataModel
    TYPEINFO plugins.qmltypes
    SOURCES data_model.h data_model.cpp)

DataModel class is QML_SINGLETON
Can i create a module like this?
In qt guide https://doc.qt.io/qt-6/qtqml-writing-a-module.html
they recommends create qt_add_library with STATIC flag

[SuhasKrishanamurthy]

Yes, you can create a QML module like this using qt_add_library(DataModel SHARED) — it is valid and supported by Qt, especially when your module is meant to be used as a shared QML plugin across multiple applications.

The Qt guide recommends using STATIC for modules that are internal to a specific application because:

Static libraries avoid deployment issues with plugins (like qmldir, plugin paths, etc.).

They simplify application packaging since everything is built into the app binary.

However, in your case:

You're defining a QML_SINGLETON, which is typically registered via a plugin.

You're using PLUGIN_TARGET, which indicates you're building a QML plugin.

Shared builds make sense when the module is intended to be reused and dynamically loaded by the QML engine.

[Andrew Strokov]

@SuhasKrishanamurthy Thank you! By the way, using qt_add_qml_module together with qt_add_library or qt_add_executable means embedding the qml module?
and if you use qt_add_qml_module separately, will a plugin be created?

[SuhasKrishanamurthy]

Yes — if you combine qt_add_qml_module() with a STATIC library or an executable target without a PLUGIN_TARGET, the QML types get embedded in the binary. No plugin is generated.

And if you define qt_add_qml_module() with a PLUGIN_TARGET, and the library is built as SHARED, Qt will generate a plugin that the QML engine can dynamically load.

[Andrew Strokov]

@SuhasKrishanamurthy Thanks! :)