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I am developing a python app, using python and sqlite and GUI to re-create a Access 2007 report generating app. Since the app is portable, I'm looking for GUI solution for python that user doesn't need to install addition things before using the app.

Is there any GUI solution suits my need? Thanks!

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2 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted

wxPython is very portable

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So are tkinter, PyGTK and PyQt. –  delnan Sep 24 '10 at 12:39
Yes, but wxPython is also fun. ;) –  FogleBird Sep 24 '10 at 12:54
wxPython cannot be installed via the Fink package manager on Mac OS X, I believe because of technical issues: wxPython is currently less portable than PyQt. –  EOL Sep 24 '10 at 13:20
So is easygui, which is simpler to use and allows access to tkinter if you would still like to use that –  inspectorG4dget Sep 24 '10 at 13:26
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The only fully portable GUI for Python is the standard TkInter, if you don't want any additional install beside Python. The Themed Tk version is quite nice looking, compared to the older Tk version (the themed version is available through the ttk module).

A few weeks ago, I had to answer the same question as you. I came to the conclusion that PyQt is currently the best choice for a modern, powerful, well-maintained, and portable GUI, mainly because of some of the shortcomings of its main contender (wxPython, see below). (Tk, and Themed Tk would be good for simpler needs.)

Two words of warning against wxPython: it is not possible to install it via the popular Fink package manager on Mac OS X, currently, which makes it far less portable than PyQt and TkInter; it is also not yet Python 3-compatible, as far as I know.

PS (Dec. 2012): PySide is currently a strong alternative to PyQt. There are a few Stackoverflow questions about the respective merits of these two Python bindings.

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standard doesn't mean what it used to mean, in this case. tkinter is present by default in the official, mainline standard library. However, a number of common linux distributions (notably Ubuntu), slice that library up and only install it if the user asks for it or something that is dependent on it. –  IfLoop Sep 26 '10 at 19:16
@TokenMacGuy: Interesting info. Thank you for sharing! –  EOL Sep 26 '10 at 20:23
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