Qt is a cross-platform software development framework. It has many useful features thanks to the fact it is written in C++. Qt’s functions and features are organized into modules.
Many programmers use Qt to create native embedded, desktop, and mobile applications. But why? In this article, we will cover 10 reasons why Qt is so popular.
- Cross-platform development
Naturally, one of the biggest advantages of the Qt framework is its ability to support various platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, WinRT, tvOS, and watchOS. With Qt tools, you don’t have to create native apps for each platform. It is a huge advantage for Qt developers.
- Syntax
A part of the framework is QML. It is a declarative programming language designed for building graphical user interfaces. Its syntax is similar to CSS and JSON and supports imperative JS expressions, allowing developers to reuse and customize components within a user interface.
- Performance
Qt is based on C++, so the framework runs natively on the platforms it supports. From C++, Qt inherited encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and classes. Also, C++ allows you to design software of different complexity.
- JavaScript
Another advantage of Qt is that QML natively supports JavaScript, one of the most popular languages. If your team is used to programming in JS, mastering Qt should not be a problem. When developing apps, one can write business logic in JS. If it’s too slow, you can rewrite this part in C++.
- Ease of use
If you know JavaScript or have some experience with other UI frameworks, you will probably learn QML quickly. Designing UI with Qt and its tools feels more natural and simple. After mastering the framework, you can expect your productivity to rise.
- QtCreator
QtCreator is the framework’s IDE. It is greatly integrated with the rest of Qt and makes it easier to design and test software on multiple platforms.
- Maturity
The Qt framework is 20 years old. QML is 10 years old. Over this period, the platform has come through multiple iterations and greatly improved. Also, it has come through a lot of testing, so the modern iteration is very stable, unlike brand-new frameworks.
- Documentation
There are so many educational materials dedicated to Qt that they will overwhelm you. These documents cover all parts of the framework. And if something is missing, you will probably find it among examples on the official website.
- Open-source
The framework’s toolkits are available under both commercial and open-source licenses. Some companies will probably prefer the commercial option as it offers wider functionality. On the other hand, using open-source options considerably reduces the cost of software development.
- Large community
And finally, as Qt is open-source, it has gathered an impressive community of developers who gladly share their expertise and experience, case studies, examples, and API documentation.
Qt is a powerful tool for cross-platform software design available to every developer. It makes creating desktop and mobile apps for various platforms easier, faster, and cheaper. At the same time, the platform is more stable than brand-new analogs. So, the popularity of Qt development is going to rise even more.
