The features of Qt for Windows, iOS and Android platforms

tomy

Hi all,

I would like to be able to create apps for Windows, Android and iOS platforms so that those apps are able to compete with the real apps of the market for all three platforms from the functionality and GUI (and other aspects too) viewpoints.

I know you may say it's possible to create apps once and run everywhere using Qt, but it's not enough!
Please have a look at the following image to find out what I'm saying:

alt text

The one on the left hand is a "nice, chic and stylish" app on Windows and the one on the right hand is that source code run on an Android emulator; very ugly, rough and even the buttons are not big enough to work with the app!

This shows that code once and run everywhere is not enough, I think. Don't you agree?

OK, for Windows, I use the following book and also will make myself accustomed to the new tools and updates using this site and Docs.
C++-GUI-Programming-with-Qt-4-2ndEdition

But what for other platforms? I think there is nothing on mobile apps, Qt Quick, QML (I know it's another language) in that book?

First I want you make my mind clear of the issue I'm trying to state and then introduce me some book/method or whatever to be able to write nice and powerful apps for the other two platforms as well, please.

Can I use Qt Quick for those mobile apps I'm referring to? If so, what book should I read please?

Do I "have to" read a book on QML for those Android and iOS apps necessarily?

Please guide me to choose a good way for my purposes.
Thanks.

SGaist

Hi,

Widget based application are not designed for mobile application. While some may work, they come from the era where mobile where only used to call and send SMS.

If you want a nice and shiny user interface for your mobile devices then indeed, QtQuick2 is the recommended way to go. You can take a look at http://qmlbook.github.io which gives a good introduction.

Note that the usual modus operandi is to do the GUI with QtQuick2 and all the heavy processing in C++.

tomy

@SGaist

Hi,

Widget based application are not designed for mobile application. While some may work, they come from the era where mobile where only used to call and send SMS.

Very good reason. Excellent.
It means that we will almost never have apps as much shiny and nice for Android and iOS as Windows just by running a for Windows written app on Qt Creator, by an Android/iOS kit to make files for those platforms. Yes? (Because we have almost no apps without widgets)

If you want a nice and shiny user interface for your mobile devices then indeed, QtQuick2 is the recommended way to go. You can take a look at http://qmlbook.github.io which gives a good introduction.

That book seems to speak about QML which is another language. Does it mean Qt Quick2 and QML are the same?

Note that the usual modus operandi is to do the GUI with QtQuick2 and all the heavy processing in C++.

Did you mean:
GUI by QtQuick2
Code by C++
?

If so, how can it be done?

SGaist

QML is the language, QtQuick2 is a graphic library on top of it.

Use the doc Luke ;)

QtQML CPP Integration
QtQML CPP Integration Interact QML from CPP

tomy

Just before reading the Docs, a question!
For Windows apps I think I still need to read "C++-GUI-Programming-with-Qt-4-2ndEdition". Am I right?

SGaist

This book still contains interesting stuff that might help you for low level stuff like model handling.

tomy

I don't know what "model handing" is, sorry.
I want now only being able to write apps (like the way I mentioned) for all three platforms.
If you agree, I read that book C++-GUI-Programming-with-Qt-4-2ndEdition for Windows, and the QML book for the other two platforms.

SGaist

Take a look at the Model View Programming chapter of Qt's documentation.

Depending on what your application is supposed to do, you can also use QtQuick2 on the desktop platforms.

tomy

OK, thank you. I made the decision.
I choose that book for Windows and the other for other platforms.