Getting started for Qt and C++ development on windows

I came across a programming framework called Qt that has recently been acquired by Nokia. It’s primarily for C++ based development and allows you to write code which can be compiled for Windows, Linux AND mobile. It’s the mobile part that really got me interested. Check out these videos if you’re curious.

Unfortunately, as with most frameworks, the binary installer doesn’t do EVERYTHING you need to get started. So noob-to-noob this is how I got myself started on Qt on Windows.

Install binaries

Get the Qt SDK and Qt Libraries 4.6.2 and install.

Set paths

Go to: Start menu > Computer (Right click) > Properties > Advanced properties > Environment variables

Add these to PATH (Path > Edit)
C:Qt2010.02mingwbin;
C:Qt4.6.2bin;
C:Qt2010.02mingwmingw32bin;
C:Qt4.6.2qmakegeneratorswin32;

Add new for user
QMAKESPEC win32-g++
QTDIR C:Qt4.6.2

Edit classpath
C:Qt2010.02mingwbin;
C:Qt4.6.2bin;

Log out and login or restart for changes to take effect

Build Qt Libraries

Go to: C:Qt4.6.2bin

Open qtvars.bat
Save as qtvars.bak.txt
Edit qtvars.bat
Delete all lines that modify the PATH i.e. lines 6 – 17.

Open command window in C:Qt4.6.2bin
Run: qtvars.bat compile_debug

Go to: Start > Programs > Qt by Nokia 4.6.2 > Qt 4.6.2 (Build debug libraries)

Sip coffee while you wait. . . wait . . . wait.

UPDATE

You don’t need to build the libraries to get the IDE to work.

If you get this error when you run a build (probably going through a tutorial like I did) –

C: Qt 2010.02.1 qt lib / libqtmaind.a (qtmain_win.o): In function `WinMain @ 16 ‘:
C: qt-greenhouse Trolltech Code_less_create_more Trolltech Code_less_create_more Troll 4.6 qt src winmain / qtmain_win.cpp: 131: undefined reference to `qMain (int, char **)

It’s because your function doesn’t have a main method. So try this –

   1:  int main(int argc, char **argv){

   2:    //code goes here

   3:  }

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