PyQt

PyQt is a set of Python bindings for the Qt application framework. It enables Python developers to create cross-platform graphical user interfaces and other Qt-based applications by providing Pythonic access to the Qt C++ APIs. The project is developed and maintained by Riverbank Computing, with original development by Phil Thompson in the early 2000s.

PyQt exposes bindings for most of Qt’s modules, including QtCore, QtGui, QtWidgets, QtNetwork, QtSvg, and QtMultimedia, among others. It supports Qt Designer integration through loading of .ui files and generating Python code. It preserves Qt’s signals and slots mechanism and maps it to Python callables and event handling.

Major editions correspond to Qt versions: PyQt4 for Qt 4, PyQt5 for Qt 5, and PyQt6 for Qt 6. Each edition wraps the corresponding Qt library, and PyQt6 introduced some API changes reflecting Qt 6.

Licensing for PyQt is dual-licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and a commercial license from Riverbank Computing. Proprietary software may require a commercial license, whereas GPL-compliant projects may use PyQt under GPL terms.

Distribution and usage: PyQt is distributed as Python packages (for example PyQt5, PyQt6) and can be installed via package managers such as pip. It runs on major desktop platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, leveraging Qt’s cross-platform capabilities. It is one of the two widely used Python bindings for Qt, the other being PySide (Qt for Python) maintained by The Qt Company.