[Qt5-feedback] C++ api to use for UI in addition to QML

[Corry Not Lazarowitz]

I could rant about a lot of things QT here, I generally like it, and I
like the cross platform nature of it.  In fact, People often tell me
how "hard" it is to program cross platform, and I laugh, and point to
QT and say I have no trouble.  I know the APIs of windows and linux,
and never work on a mac, so when QT falls short on something, I just
write the functionality for both, but thats not too often.
However, there is one thing I absolutely hate about QT.  Its the
developers literal *obsession* with binary compatibility, and their
obsession with wacko means of maintaining it.  This latest use of
javascript is just the most ludicrous in the set.

let me say this loud and clear.

I CAN HANDLE A RECOMPILE!!!

Let me also say this, I don't mind updating code for
new/better/cooler/etc functionality.

If you want to make the transition smooth, the name your interfaces
with the versions they support, heck with that, use interfaces in the
first place.  (Standard C++ may not include the keyword, but classes
with only pure virtual functions are allowed, and you can stick to the
paradigm...).  Then you have your source compatitibility, and you
could go one step further, and keep a qt472.dll around for those who
don't want to use the interfaces in qt473.dll and maintain "binary
compatibility".  This problem has been solved by so many people
without placing the restrictions trolltech has already placed, and
without switching to javascript.

Lastly, I'll say this, obsession with maintaining binary compatibility
is like an obsession with making the waterfall development model work.
 In theory, totally possible, like most things that work in theory,
they rarely work in practice.  Same goes here.  Why not instead focus
on making the best toolkit possible, and assume the developers using
your libraries are big boys and can handle an upgrade?

Thats literally all I'm going to say on the matter as well.  I'm not
going to argue this, if it keeps up, I'll just go back to the old way
of doing things, without QT.

On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 8:43 AM, Thiago Macieira <thiago at kde.org> wrote:
> On Monday, 16 de May de 2011 12:03:30 Serhiy wrote:
>> So my point is that since QT itself uses C++ why not to have C++ api
>> for new features as well.
>
> Because we lock ourselves to that API, due to C++'s binary compatibility
> requirements.
>
> We like to have a minimal API that addresses the use-cases. We'll be doing it
> once in QML. Doing it again in C++ is more work and also harder to change
> later.
> --
> Thiago Macieira - thiago (AT) macieira.info - thiago (AT) kde.org
>  Senior Product Manager - Nokia, Qt Development Frameworks
>      PGP/GPG: 0x6EF45358; fingerprint:
>      E067 918B B660 DBD1 105C  966C 33F5 F005 6EF4 5358
>
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