According to Trolltech, Qt allows developers to write applications once and deploy them on any major operating system, including many versions of Windows, Linux/Unix, and Mac OS X -- all from the same code base.
Beginning with the next major production release of Qt -- version 4.0, expected during the second quarter of 2005 -- the Windows version of Qt will be available under both a commercial license and the GPL license.
Under Trolltech's dual licensing model, Trolltech offers two versions of its software -- one licensed under the GPL, and the other under a conventional proprietary software license. Developers who want to donate their source code to the open source community can use the open source version, and must license their software under the GPL. Developers or companies who produce commercial proprietary software must purchase a license, and may freely choose how to license and profit from their efforts. The company says it has successfully applied the dual-licensing model to Qt on the Linux and Mac OS X platforms.
"The Windows market is ripe for an influx of open source software, and a mature, platform-independent toolkit like Qt can spur a renaissance of development," commented Stacey Quandt, senior business analyst and open source practice leader for the Robert Francis Group. "As a rising tide floats all boats, this expanding ecosystem of Qt applications will also increase commercial Qt development on Windows, and broaden cross-platform opportunities."
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