Hi all,

>As some of you are aware I belong to the few VFP who moved a part of their IT skills to python. Why python? Because it appeals to most of those who joined VFP for the >language itself. I never fully joined the python pack though and still run most of my desktop devs in VFP legacy mode (I know it's getting late...).

>I was on the verge getting my feet seriously wet on wxpython dev. But I recently discovered that Qt - a great UI for C++ dev environment - was certainly on the right track from >a marketing PoV as a desktop/mobile integration toolbox. That, along with it sheer technical quality and python support, possibly justified some serious investigation from >VFPers.

>I'd be glad get your feedback on the QT + QML + python as a DESKTOP development platform for ex-VFPers. But before you talk, my few cents on "Why a QT+python >combination could be a great alternative to VFP" for next-generation desktop apps:

>1- QT is robust, tested, and supported (difficult to challenge this, especially in Northern Europe),
>2- recent developments - especially the QML-based extended set of "quick controls" - should make transition from traditional "desktop" to mobile a breeze,
>3- python is a joy to work with and has evolved positively as well (including in critical areas for VFPers such as MS-Excel integration).

>Python is certainly not a premier language from a QT perspective but the situation is much better for python in Qt than the VFP in MS ever was... In the end what am I talking >about?

>"A combination of QML+javascript for UI dev and python as the backend" (via pyqt or, why not, in the long run pyotherside) for data-mangling application-tier for sizable desktop >applications that were VFP targets in the past.

>Feedback from UT members and VFP community is welcome:)

>François

>PS- I understand that:
>1- Web html-based apps can be properly served by alternative environments including some great VFP-based ones,
>2- traditional cursor-based business applications à la foxpro could be possibly more easily crafted with and served by Lianja or even VS. But I am not developing this kind of >apps any more.

I, like you, have moved to on to python (and I agree with your assessment). I recently read that python is the fastest growing language - increasing use by 28.8 % this year.
I have been using Dabo for most of my work the last few years. Dabo is based on wxPython but I have always felt that Qt was a better lib.

I have been working with a C++ app written using Qt and have been trying to integrate python (along with QML) into the project. I have had a little success using pythonQT, but it is not the easiest thing to do. I've also read that others have been able to use PyQt from a C++ app. I can't confirm that info but from what I have read it should work. I never heard of pyotherside until you suggested it. Just taking a quick look at the API it appears that you call it from QML. Not exactly what I wanted but it might work.

With Qt 5.2 coming sometime this month I may have found a very good solution to the cross platform (Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, windows) programming environment.
Johnf