How can Qt Creator be used as general C++ IDE (no usage of Qt library)?

Question

I've been looking around for a nice C++ IDE, and I really like the features and performance of Qt Creator, and I plan to use it to make Qt based applications down the road. However, for right now, I just want to use Qt creator as general purpose C++ IDE without the use of the Qt library. How can I go about using Qt creator just for regular C++ development? What configurations do I need to make? I would appreciate some detailed guidance with this.

Thank you for your time and cooperation. I appreciate it, and I hope to hear from you all soon.

Solution 1

I do it constantly.

You have two options:

1. use qmake project files: to get rid of all the remaining Qt stuff, add these to your project file(s):

   CONFIG -= qt
   DEFINES -= UNICODE QT_LARGEFILE_SUPPORT
   

   Remember that qmake itself is still required to build. So you'll most likely need a Qt installation.

2. use Cmake project files.

Both cases can count on Qt Creator's full support (for files and projects in the left pane). git and svn support in Qt Creator is awesome

Solution 2

I started using Qt Creator recently because I spend more and more time on my 13" laptop and just love the way it utilizes space. Other than that, it is feature-rich, fast, reliable and Qt isn't bad at all. As for C++ only IDE, it is more than welcome in my life.

The only other IDE that I love as much as Qt Creator is Code::Blocks. (I often switch between the two, depending on which machine I use)

Solution 3

I've been using Eclipse forever as a Java programmer, so when I returned to C++, I continued to use it. However, Eclipse loses its brain ALL THE TIME, and I spend huge amounts of time trying to get it to stop being so stupid, issuing 100s of errors that aren't errors. As of today, I'm trying Qt Creator. So far, it's working well.

The Qt people have a quick reference that I followed: https://doc.qt.io/qtcreator/creator-project-generic.html

Qt Creator doesn't have all the features I like from Eclipse, but it's working well for me so far. I can import my existing projects following these directions, then edit the files they list to smooth things out.

You have to, for instance, specify your include path by editing .includes.

I do builds and runs outside the IDE, so I'm not sure how well the Run button will work, but I'm sure you can make that happen.