Creating Desktop Apps With Python - Lesson 1

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore the fundamentals of creating desktop applications using Python and PyQt5. This guide will help you set up your development environment and create a simple desktop application. We will cover key concepts such as application dimensions, positioning, and adding images. By the end of this lesson, you will have the knowledge to start developing your own desktop applications.

Step 1: Set Up Your Development Environment

To get started, you need to install the necessary software.

1. Download and Install Python

   • Visit the Python download page.
   • Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.

2. Install PyCharm (Optional)

   • PyCharm is a powerful IDE for Python development.
   • Download it from here and follow the installation steps.

3. Install PyQt5

   • Open your terminal or command prompt.
   • Run the following command to install PyQt5:

     pip install PyQt5
     

4. Download QT Designer

   • This tool helps to design your GUI easily.
   • Get it from this link and install it.

Step 2: Create a Basic Application Structure

Now that your environment is ready, it’s time to create a simple desktop application.

1. Create a New Project in PyCharm

   • Open PyCharm and create a new project.
   • Name it something relevant, like "MyFirstDesktopApp".

2. Create a Main Python File

   • Create a new Python file named main.py.
   • This file will contain the primary code for your application.

3. Set Up the Application Window

   • Add the following code to main.py to create a basic application window:

     import sys
     from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QApplication, QMainWindow
     
     class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         def __init__(self):
             super().__init__()
             self.setWindowTitle("My First Desktop App")
             self.setGeometry(100, 100, 600, 400)  # (x, y, width, height)
     
     if __name__ == "__main__":
         app = QApplication(sys.argv)
         window = MainWindow()
         window.show()
         sys.exit(app.exec_())
     

   • This code initializes a basic application window with a title and specified dimensions.

Step 3: Add an Image to Your Application

To enhance your application, let’s add an image.

1. Prepare Your Image

   • Save an image file in your project directory. For example, name it image.png.

2. Modify Your Main Window Code

   • Update your MainWindow class to include the image:

     from PyQt5.QtGui import QPixmap
     from PyQt5.QtWidgets import QLabel
     
     class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         def __init__(self):
             super().__init__()
             self.setWindowTitle("My First Desktop App")
             self.setGeometry(100, 100, 600, 400)
     
             label = QLabel(self)
             pixmap = QPixmap('image.png')
             label.setPixmap(pixmap)
             label.resize(pixmap.width(), pixmap.height())
     

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to set up your development environment for creating desktop applications with Python and PyQt5. You created a basic application window and added an image to it. These foundational steps will serve as a launching point for more complex applications in future lessons.

Next, explore additional features of PyQt5, such as buttons, text inputs, and layouts, to enhance your application's functionality and appearance. Happy coding!