[Python-Dev] What to choose to replace Tkinter?

[Phil Thompson]

I've come to this discussion rather late...

Most modern GUI toolkits have (or will soon have) the widgets to compete
with Tk strengths. The difficult question with a Tkinter replacement is
the complete fragmentation of the GUI toolkit "market". I don't believe
that you can, today, identify a toolkit that you are sure is going to
have widespread support and the longevity needed (in 5 years time you
don't want to be in the position you are in today with Tk).

I see two alternatives...

- make the Tkinter replacement an abstraction layer between Python and
the *user's* choice of toolkit. The developer gets a consistent API, and
toolkits can be adopted and dropped as fashions change. This is the
approach taken by VeePee (http://www.thekompany.com/projects/vp/).

- don't bundle Tkinter with Python. At least you then make people think
a bit more about what they want from a toolkit and make an appropriate
choice - let Tkinter's replacement be found by natural selection. At the
very least let's have a more up-front presentation of the different
options, strengths/weaknesses etc on the web site. Cameron must be
getting bored of pointing people to his toolkit summary.

For the record, Qt has a good Canvas widget, Unicode support, user
selectable Windows/Mac/Unix look & feel etc, etc.

Phil