Qt is a cross-platform application framework that allows developers to create and deploy software for multiple operating systems. Primarily used as a way of quickly developing GUIs, it also provides tools for networking, file handling, and database integration.
Here’s how you can install QT on Linux.
Why Install Qt on Linux?
The look and feel of most Linux desktop apps are determined by toolkits, which give developers access to readymade buttons, toolbars, sliders, menus, and more. This saves time and means that they can get on with the important work of coding the app itself.
WhileGNOME apps use the GTK+ toolkit, KDE uses Qt (pronounced “cutie”), and apps from KDE all tend to have a familiar look.
If you’re writing your own Linux desktop app and want it to have a KDE-like look, or even if you’re just compiling an open-source app that uses Qt, you’ll need to have Qt installed on your Linux system.
It’s important to note that Qt is available with both commercial and open-source licenses. If you’re using Qt under the open-source license, it’s expected that you will contribute back to the project and that, “All users have the rights to obtain, modify and redistribute the full source code of your application”.
The applications you produce must be licensed under LGPL version 3, GPL version 2, or GPL version 3. The Qt Group is deadly serious about this, and there are sections of the website devoted to your obligations when using Qt under LGPL, as well as the consequence of not complying with the licensing restrictions.
If you’re not sure, check out our comparatively short primer onwhat open source means.
How to Install Qt on Linux
Qt is available as both offline and online installers. For ease of use, the developers recommend using the online version.
Open a browser and head over to the Qt downloads page.
Download:Qt
Qt is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the page should automatically detect that you’re running Linux. If it doesn’t, click on the penguin icon, then clickQt Online Installer for Linux.
The download is around 50MB and will be namedqt-unified-linux-xxx.x.x.run, wherexxx-x.x.xis your processor architecture and the Qt version number. The download should take a few minutes at most.
In your terminal, navigate to where you downloaded the package. In most cases, this will be yourDownloadsdirectory.
Make the file executable with:
Enter your password when requested, then launch the installer with:
You need to have a Qt account to install Qt. If you already have one, enter your email address and password.
ClickNext, and if you’ve just created an account for the first time, check your email, click the confirmation link, and continue to set up your account.
You can now return to the installer and clickNextagain.
On the subsequent screen, you will have to check another box confirming that you have read and agree to the terms and conditions of using open-source Qt, and either enter your company name or check the box confirming that you are an individual not using Qt on behalf of any company.
If you’re sure you’re able to live with the obligations, clickNextagain. Over the next few clicks you will have to acknowledge the Welcome screen, decide whether to contribute pseudonymous usage statistics, and select the directory where Qt will be installed.
You can then choose the Qt components you want. The defaults should be suitable for most use cases.
The next screen contains four separate license agreements that have a combined word count of 15,200, including six uses of the word “consequence” and four mentions of “consequential damages”. Read these documents carefully, check the box to confirm you have done so, and clickNext, thenInstallto finally begin the installation.
The total download is around 2GB and may take some time.
When the download completes, you’ll be asked if you want to view the README file, launch Qt Design Studio, or launch Qt Creator. Uncheck these if you want to get to work straight away, then clickFinish.
Use Qt to Develop Your Next GUI App
With Qt, it’s easy to make your next app look fabulous. If you’re not certain what you want to make, there are some great coding tutorial sites for programmers of every level.
