First Impressions of Linux GUI Programming

[GrayGeek]

R.Marquez wrote:

> I hope I don't bore you with this personal experience.  But, I hope
> the details are helpful for other Python and/or Linux newbies, or for
> those thinking about becoming such.
> 
> I have been using Python on Windows for a few years now.  One of the
> things that attracted me to Python was the fact that it offered the
> possibility of learning to program in Linux wile not even using Linux.
>  I recognized a few years back that Linux would eventually be the
> platform I would use, once it matured a little.
> 
> My first Python GUI toolkit to learn was wxPython, and I have nothing
> but good things to say about it.  But, after a while I began looking
> for an ide to avoid some of the tedious aspects of coding the GUI.  I
> am still not completely settled on any one of them, but for some small
> utilities that I've written I have enjoyed using PythonCard the best.
> I have also heard great things about PyQt, however I have been
> discouraged to try it since, on Windows, there is no GPL version (I
> think that is a mistake on Trolltech's part, but that is another
> issue).
> 
> I recently received a copy of Mandrake 9.2 (included in the December
> 2003 issue of Linux Format magazine), so I decided to install it on a
> test machine.  Everything went smooth and it looks beautiful.  It
> comes with Python 2.3 already installed.  I had a few minutes to
> spare, so I decided to take a quick look at PyQt.  I downloaded the
> following rpms:

Isn't Linux Format a hoot!  I really love the DVD (or 2 CDs) that come with
every issue.  I find the articles are first class and delve into specifics
for apps, utilities, distros, what ever.   I've subscribed to Linux Journal
for years, but compared to Linux Format LJ is hollow.

BTW, Have you tried Boa-Constructor, a GUI RAD dev tool that uses wxPython?


> 
> PyKDE-3.7-1mdk92.i586.rpm, PyQt-3.7-1mdk92.i586.rpm,
> PyQt-devel-3.7-1mdk92.i586.rpm, libqscintilla2-1.1-1mdksbe.i586.rpm,
> libqscintilla2-devel-1.1-1mdksbe.i586.rpm,
> libsip10-3.7-mdk92.i586.rpm, libsip10-devel-3.7-mdk92.i586.rpm,
> sip-3.7-mdk92.i586.rpm
> 
> As I said I only had a few minutes to spare. So when I ran into
> trouble I did not take the time to chase to far for a solution.  (I
> thought things had installed well but Python would not find qt).  As a
> last resort I tried building PyQt from source, but it complained about
> not finding Python.h.  That led me to a post in C.L.P. that mentioned
> that to install PyQt in Mandrake it was recommended to install a
> separate copy of Python to use instead of the one shipped.  My test
> machine has a small (3GB) hard drive, so I decided to postpone that.
> 
> Having done that, I decided to try wxPython.  I went to the site and
> downloaded the rpm.  Once downloaded, I simply right-clicked on it,
> selected "Open with ...", and chose "Software Installer".  It went in
> without a hitch.  I opened a terminal session to run Python, imported
> wx, and it worked.  I even tried coding a little wxPython YES_NO
> dialog window, and there it was.
> 
> Encouraged by that success I downloaded the latest PythonCard rpm for
> Mandrake.  Again, it installed as smooth as wxPython did.  It even
> placed links for the Code and Resource Editors on the K menu.  They
> both worked well.  I quickly copied one of my little PythonCard
> programs from Windows.  I used "Open With" to open the script in the
> PythonCard Editor.  I removed a couple of Windows specific calls,
> saved it, and launched it.  Wow, there it was. I was now Linux
> programmer.  Well, sort of :).
> 
> Now, if I could only figure out a way to interact with my utility from
> Konqueror or Nautilus, as the "Send to" feature of Windows Explorer
> allows, I will be even happier. ;)  Thanks to all you coders that have
> given us such great tools under such liberal licenses.

-- 

-
GrayGeek