Signal And Slots Qt5

Traditional syntax: SIGNAL and SLOT QtCore.SIGNAL and QtCore.SLOT macros allow Python to interface with Qt signal and slot delivery mechanisms. This is the old way of using signals and slots. The example below uses the well known clicked signal from a QPushButton.The connect method has a non python-friendly syntax. Signals and slots are used for communication between objects. The signals and slots mechanism is a central feature of Qt and probably the part that differs most from the features provided by other frameworks. The minimal example requires a class with one signal, one slot and one connection: counter.h. A slot is a function that is called when a signal is emitted. For example, a push button emits a clicked signal when clicked by a user. A slot that is attached to that signal is called when the clicked signal is emitted. Multiple signals can be connected to any slot. Qt5 Tutorial Signals and Slots - 2020, Introduction#. Signals and slots are.

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Signals

Unlike a console mode application, which is executed in a sequential manner, a GUI based application is event driven. Functions or methods are executed in response to user’s actions like clicking on a button, selecting an item from a collection or a mouse click etc., called events.

Widgets used to build the GUI interface act as the source of such events. Each PyQt widget, which is derived from QObject class, is designed to emit ‘signal’ in response to one or more events. The signal on its own does not perform any action. Instead, it is ‘connected’ to a ‘slot’. The slot can be any callable Python function.

Using Qt Designer's Signal/Slot Editor

First design a simple form with a LineEdit control and a PushButton.

It is desired that if button is pressed, contents of text box should be erased. The QLineEdit widget has a clear() method for this purpose. Hence, the button’s clicked signal is to be connected to clear() method of the text box.

Signals and slots qt5

To start with, choose Edit signals/slots from Edit menu (or press F4). Then highlight the button with mouse and drag the cursor towards the textbox

As the mouse is released, a dialog showing signals of button and methods of slot will be displayed. Select clicked signal and clear() method

The Signal/Slot Editor window at bottom right will show the result −

Save ui and Build and Python code from ui file as shown in the below code −

Generated Python code will have the connection between signal and slot by the following statement −

Run signalslot.py and enter some text in the LineEdit. The text will be cleared if the button is pressed.

Building Signal-slot Connection

Instead of using Designer, you can directly establish signal-slot connection by following syntax −

Suppose if a function is to be called when a button is clicked. Here, the clicked signal is to be connected to a callable function. It can be achieved in any of the following technique −

Example

In the following example, two QPushButton objects (b1 and b2) are added in QDialog window. We want to call functions b1_clicked() and b2_clicked() on clicking b1 and b2 respectively.

When b1 is clicked, the clicked() signal is connected to b1_clicked() function −

When b2 is clicked, the clicked() signal is connected to b2_clicked() function.

The above code produces the following output −

Output

Qt 5 signals and slots mechanism. How signals and slots in Qt differ from the callback architecture in other widget toolkits. A Qt basics tutorial. How to add signals and slots in Qt Creator.

Part 9 of the Qt Creator C++ Tutorial

What are Qt 5 Signals and Slots?

Very basically, signals and slots in Qt allow communication between objects.

In Qt, a signal is emitted when an event occurs. A slot is a function that is called when a signal is emitted. For example, a push button emits a clicked signal when clicked by a user. A slot that is attached to that signal is called when the clicked signal is emitted.

Multiple signals can be connected to any slot. Signals can be connected to any number of slots.

Most of the details of signals and slots are hidden in their implementation in Qt. At this stage of the tutorial series we do not look in depth at signals and slots.

Using Signals and Slots in Qt Creator

There are several ways to use signals and slots in Qt Creator projects. This includes manually adding them in code. Here we briefly look at the easier ways to use signals and slots to respond to events. Events are generated by users interacting with widgets in an application. These events cause signals to be emitted. Corresponding slots, or functions then run.

Qt 5 Signals and Slots Demonstration

The following image shows the application built in this section using Qt Creator. It demonstrates some methods of using signals and slots.

Each section below shows a method of adding signals and slots to a Qt Creator program. Watch the video embedded near the top of this page for details.

Add a Slot to a Button for the Clicked Signal

Place a push button on the main window. Right click the push button and select Go to slot… to add code for the clicked signal.

Connect a Slider to a Progress Bar Visually

Place a Horizontal Slider and a Progress Bar on the main window.

Press F4 on the keyboard. This toggles to Edit Signals/Slots mode.

Drag to connect the slider to the progress bar.

Press F3 to change back to Edit Widgets mode.

Connect a Slider to a Progress Bar with Code

Place a second Horizontal Slider and a Progress Bar on the main window.

Right-click the Horizontal Slider. In the menu that pops up, click Go to slot…

In the dialog box that pops up, select sliderMoved(int). Click the OK button.

Add code for the sliderMoved signal.

Menu Bar Item with Action Editor

Add a File menu with Open, Close and Quit menu items.

Qt Creator must be in Design mode. Make sure that the Action Editor and Signal and Slots Editor are visible. Do this from the top menu as follows. Select Window → Views and then click the check box next to each of the desired editors.

Add slots for the triggered() signal for the Open and Close menu items. Do this in the Action Editor as follows. Right click a menu item. Click Go to slot… on the menu that pops up. Click triggered() in the dialog box that pops up and then click the OK button.

Add code in the slot function.

Menu Bar Item with Signals and Slots Editor

In Design mode, select the Signals and Slots tab. Click the big green + sign to add an item. Change the following for the new item.

  • Sender : actionQuit
  • Signal : triggered()
  • Receiver : MainWindow
  • Slot : close()

Signals And Slots Qt

Code Listing

Signals And Slots Qt5 C++

Below is the code listing for mainwindow.cpp for the example project. Follow the video embedded near the top of this page to add the code.

Signal And Slot Qt C++

mainwindow.cpp