PySide2

PySide2 is the official set of Python bindings for the Qt application framework, providing access to the Qt 5 APIs from Python. It enables developers to create cross-platform graphical user interfaces and other Qt-based applications using Python, leveraging the rich widgets, graphics, and multimedia capabilities of Qt 5.

Developed and maintained by The Qt Company with input from the open-source community, PySide2 is distributed as part of the Qt for Python project. It is released under the LGPLv3, which allows use in both open-source and proprietary software under the terms of that license. The bindings mirror the Qt 5 module structure and are designed to be used alongside Python runtimes on major desktop platforms.

PySide2 covers a wide range of Qt modules, including QtCore, QtGui, and QtWidgets for traditional widget-based interfaces, as well as QtQml and QtQuick for QML-based user interfaces. Additional modules such as QtNetwork, QtSql, and QtSvg provide access to networking, database, and vector graphics features. The bindings expose Qt’s signal and slot mechanism, property system, and event handling in Pythonic forms.

Distribution and usage: PySide2 is available on PyPI and provides prebuilt wheels for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Developers typically import components like from PySide2 import QtCore, QtWidgets, or QtGui to build applications. PySide2 represents the Qt5 binding, while PySide6 serves as the binding for Qt 6 under the same Qt for Python umbrella.

History and context: The project evolved from the earlier PySide bindings and was brought under The Qt Company’s stewardship as part of the Qt for Python initiative. PySide2 remains the Qt5 binding, with PySide6 continuing for Qt 6.