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CLion vs Qt Creator: What are the differences?
Comparison: CLion vs Qt Creator
Introduction
This article compares the key differences between CLion and Qt Creator, two popular integrated development environments (IDEs) used for C++ programming. Both IDEs offer a range of features and functionality, but there are specific areas where they differ.
User Interface and Workflow: CLion provides a clean and intuitive user interface, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency. It offers a seamless workflow, allowing users to navigate through their projects easily. On the other hand, Qt Creator has a more visually appealing interface with a robust set of tools and options, making it highly customizable to fit the user's preferences.
Language Support: CLion is primarily designed for C++ development, offering extensive support for C++11, C++14, and C++17 standards. It also supports other languages such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to some extent. In contrast, Qt Creator is specifically tailored for Qt development, providing excellent support for Qt libraries and its associated programming languages, including C++, QML, and JavaScript.
Code Analysis and Refactoring: CLion emphasizes powerful code analysis and refactoring capabilities, including code completion, code inspections, and quick fixes. It uses advanced algorithms and static analysis tools to assist developers in writing clean and efficient code. Qt Creator offers similar code analysis features but places a stronger emphasis on seamless integration with the Qt framework, providing tools for designing and building Qt-based applications efficiently.
Build Systems and Debugging: CLion supports multiple build systems, including CMake, Makefile, and others, offering seamless integration with them. It also provides extensive debugging and profiling tools, allowing developers to debug their codes efficiently. Qt Creator, being Qt-centric, seamlessly integrates with the Qt build system (qmake), making it easier to build and deploy Qt applications. It also offers a comprehensive set of debugging tools specifically tailored for Qt development.
Version Control Integration: CLion offers built-in support for popular version control systems like Git, SVN, and Mercurial. Developers can perform common version control actions directly from the IDE, making it more convenient to manage code changes. Qt Creator also provides version control integration with Git, Mercurial, and Bazaar, allowing users to manage their projects with ease.
Community and Third-party Support: CLion benefits from a large and active community, with a vast number of plugins and extensions available to enhance its functionality. It also has a range of online resources, tutorials, and forums where developers can seek help. While Qt Creator also has a supportive community, it may have a slightly smaller ecosystem compared to CLion, primarily focused on Qt development.
In summary, CLion offers a clean and intuitive user interface, extensive language support, powerful code analysis and refactoring capabilities, support for multiple build systems, built-in version control integration, and a thriving community. Qt Creator, on the other hand, provides a visually appealing interface, excellent support for Qt development, advanced debugging tools, version control integration, and a supportive community with a focus on Qt-based application development. Both IDEs have their unique strengths and cater to different programming needs.
Pros of CLion
- Good editor31
- Easy setup30
- Powerful refactoring, extremely smart IDE24
- Already one of the best C/C++ IDEs, even before launch24
- Cross-platform build21
- Clean, Sleek User Interface19
- Much faster and smarter than Intellisense18
- Vertically/Horizontally split windows13
- Great navigation, error messages and auto completion12
- Vim plugin9
- Not a 20gb installation9
- It is best IDE6
- Like this one because of - not a 20GB installation3
- Free Flowing C++ IDE2
- IDE supports Python with all features of PyCharm CE1
- Very good Git plugin1
- Cheap, just 99 USD for the first year1
Pros of Qt Creator
- User friendly5
- Free and opensource2
- Code intellisense for qml2
- Light and Fast1
- Supports cmake1
- Multi Window mode1
- QML Designer1
- Code intellisense for c++1
- Supports qmake1
- Vim mode1
- Debug and Profile tools1
- Visual Editor1
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Cons of CLion
- No good support for Makefiles2
- Not free, unless you are a student2