Ubuntu11.10 release will integrate the Qt function library

Canonical MarkShuttleworth statement: the Ubuntu release will pre-install the Qt Runtime Library. Originally, the desktops and software on the ubuntu system were developed based on the GTK Image Library, which prevented Qt application developers from developing applications for the GTK-based linux operating system, such as ubuntu, the GTK graphics library uses dconf as a more basic system configuration library. Canonical has now begun to invest manpower in organic consolidation of Qt and dconf

Canonical Mark Shuttleworth declares that the Qt Runtime Library will be pre-installed in the Ubuntu 11.10 release. Originally, the desktops and software on the ubuntu system were developed based on the GTK Image Library, which prevented Qt application developers from developing applications for the GTK-based linux operating system, such as ubuntu, the GTK graphics library uses dconf as a more basic system configuration library. Canonical has now begun to invest manpower to integrate Qt and dconf organically. The advantage of doing so is that the Qt application can run well on the GNOME Desktop, in addition, it maintains the same software appearance as GNOME Desktop style (Note: Applications under different image frameworks have different forms of representation, for example, you can run the XWindow application xpdf under ubuntu ).

Shuttleworth said in his email (original ):

"System settings and prefs, however, have long been a cause of friction between Qt and Gtk. integration with system settings and preferences is critical to the sense of an application "belonging" on the system. it affects the ability to manage that application using the same tools one uses to manage all the other applications, and the sorts of settings-and-preference experience that users can have with the app. this has traditionally been a problem with Qt/KDE applications on Ubuntu, because Gtk apps all use a centrally-manageable preferences store, and KDE apps do things differently.

To address this, Canonical is driving the development of dconf bindings for Qt, so that it is possible to write a Qt app that uses the same settings framework as everything else in Ubuntu. we 've contracted with Ryan Lortie, who obviusly knows dconf very well, and he'll work with some folks at Canonical who have been using Qt for custom development work for MERs. we're confident the result will be natural for Qt developers, and a complete expression of dconf's semantics and style."

Translation (by Aries)

"System function settings and system appearance settings are the root cause of friction between Qt and GTK for a long time, it is very important to integrate system settings, system appearance settings, and other functions with Qt. In this way, we can feel that the Qt application is also part of the ubuntu system. In addition, the operating system can manage the application settings in a unified manner. For example, you can use the unified system settings to display the software, whether it is a Qt application or not. However, this integration work is a problem for the Qt/KDE applications on the Ubuntu system, because GTK applications use a Unified Software Configuration Management function, while KDE is different ."

"To solve this problem, Canonical started the development of dconf and Qt integration work, which may write Qt applications that seem to be consistent with the ubnutu operating system topic. We have already contacted Ryan Lortie, who is very familiar with dconf and will work with several other Canonical engineers who are quite familiar with Qt to integrate dconf and Qt. We are confident in this result, and this integration work will enable Qt application developers to develop programs that keep consistent with the system theme, it will also have a more complete expression of the dconf semantics and syntax."

Here is a comment from the Ubuntu community administrator Jono Bacon on the Ubuntu news website: (original)

"Why is Ubuntu shipping Qt on the CD in 11.10? -There are two drivers behind this demo. firstly, the Ubuntu project is working to ensure that Qt application developers can write apps which fit into the Ubuntu desktop smoothly. it is important that Ubuntu, as a platform, address the needs of developers, giving them as much flexibility as possible while retaining a coherent standard experience for users. secondly, giving developers the extra toolkit option shocould mean we end up with better apps all round as the range of apps for assessment and SiON will be wider. the key criteria for evaluation of any app for each sion are independent of the actual toolkit. we won't ship an app by default that we don't think offers a great experience, not just on a standalone basis but as part of the whole system."

"Does this mean Qt apps cocould be written ded on the CD? -We'll be open to Qt apps being embedded in Ubuntu if they are appropriately integrated. if an application integrates well into the Ubuntu experience, we wocould be open to its release sion in a release to offer the best experience for Ubuntu users. by "integrates well" we mean things like: uses the dconf configuration system with live adoption of settings changes, follows Ubuntu font and theme settings automatically, uses our menu and indicator and notification system appropriately etc."

Translation (by Aries ):

"Why is the Qt Runtime Library released with ubuntu 11.10? -This is determined by two factors. First of all, the ubuntu project team has been committed to enabling Qt application developers to smoothly integrate the applications developed for ubuntu into the system. This is very important for ubuntu. As a platform that meets developers' needs, it can meet the needs of consistent system themes and good user experience, give developers more freedom as much as possible. Second, giving developers additional development tools means we will have better applications, because we choose from multiple applications: ubuntu 11.10 previously only released GTk-based GUI applications, and later 11.10 will release Qt-based and GTK-based applications, so that the selection will be wider ), by then, the application standards will no longer be different from those for installing development tools. We will not release applications that we think are not very good at user experience, instead, consider the problem by measuring whether the application is part of the operating system."

"Does this mean that the Qt application will be released along with the ubuntu CD? -Our attitude towards the Qt application is open, as long as the Qt application can be organically integrated with the system. If an application is well integrated with the system and has a good user experience, we will release the application along with the ubuntu system, this gives the user the best experience. For the word "good integration", we explain that the application should use the dconf Configuration System for unified settings, automatically displays the application as the ubuntu system fonts and themes change, correctly uses the provided directories, indicators, system prompts, and so on."

From the perspective of the MeeGo system, the above messages have two benefits for the MeeGo system. First, this message indicates that Nokia's mobile development platform has received increasing attention. Second, Because ubuntu will become a major competitor of MeeGo In the netbook market (using unity desktop in ubuntu), both operating systems will benefit from using the same development framework, in this way, developers can develop applications at the same time on MeeGo and ubuntu systems. Ubuntu may be the biggest beneficiary of this operation as we anticipate MeeGo and Nokia encourages developers to develop Qt applications for symbian. That is to say, this operation will attract more people to develop Qt applications for MeeGo and Saipan, rather than devote themselves to dconf and Qt integration for ubuntu: after integrating dconf and Qt in ubuntu, you will not directly send the programs previously developed for MeeGo and Saipan to the ubuntu system ). Of course, all of these are good news.

Another interesting point is that ubuntu users can use the Clementime music player to see the effect of Qt applications running on GNOME Desktop. More interestingly, the GNOME project team has begun preparing for the MeeGo platform to support GTK applications.