Ask HN: Implement a webservice GUI with Qt?

#1

Post by mon1key » Fri, Mar 23, 2018, 5:33 AM UTC

I have a webservice for which I want to build a GUI. I was initially considering doing it in electron but am now wondering if I could simply use Qt to build my GUI?

Qt would be making REST api calls to the backend service(which could be running locally or remote) to populate the UI.

Re: Ask HN: Implement a webservice GUI with Qt?

#2

Post by terminalcommand » Fri, Mar 23, 2018, 5:41 AM UTC

This could be easily achieved. QT does not require you to change the way you code, you can design a UI in QT designer, add the buttons, callbacks etc. . Then export it as a uic file. Then use a converter of that uic file to your programming language of choice, import it, fill the callbacks and be done with it.

It's 90% automated and visual.

I'd recommend coding a basic text-only (just print statements) interface first, then bind it to the QT GUI.

If you'd like a more modern looking UI, also check out QML.

Have fun :)

Re: Ask HN: Implement a webservice GUI with Qt?

#3

Post by mon1key » Fri, Mar 23, 2018, 5:54 AM UTC

terminalcommand wrote: post #2

This could be easily achieved. QT does not require you to change the way you code, you can design a UI in QT designer, add the buttons, callbacks etc. . Then export it as a uic file. Then use a converter of that uic file to your programming language of choice, import it, fill the callbacks and be done with it. It's 90% automated and visual. I'd recommend coding a basic text-only (just print statements) interface firs…

okay so another question, so in theory I could keep a common backend code and experiment with Qt frontend code even as I simultaneously build with electron as well?

Re: Ask HN: Implement a webservice GUI with Qt?

#4

Post by terminalcommand » Fri, Mar 23, 2018, 8:15 AM UTC

mon1key wrote: post #3

terminalcommand wrote: post #2

This could be easily achieved. QT does not require you to change the way you code, you can design a UI in QT designer, add the buttons, callbacks etc. . Then export it as a uic file. Then use a converter of that uic file to your programming language of choice, import it, fill the callbacks and be done with it. It's 90% automated and visual. I'd recommend coding a basic text-only (just print statements) interface firs…

okay so another question, so in theory I could keep a common backend code and experiment with Qt frontend code even as I simultaneously build with electron as well?

That is correct. This is one of the benefits that come with choosing the server-client architecture. Backend is decoupled from the frontend (e.g. UI).