Qt is a cross-platform framework that is used for developing graphical user interfaces (GUI) and applications. It is beneficial for scientific research because it allows for the creation of visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces, making it easier for researchers to analyze and present their data.
Yes, Qt provides a wide range of tools and libraries that make it relatively easy to convert existing code to Qt. However, the level of difficulty will depend on the complexity and size of the code.
Some of the main advantages of using Qt for scientific research include its cross-platform compatibility, efficient memory management, and the ability to easily integrate with other programming languages and libraries. It also has a large community of developers and provides comprehensive documentation and support.
The main drawback of re-writing open source code in Qt is the time and effort it may require, especially for larger and more complex projects. Additionally, there may be a learning curve for those who are not familiar with Qt, but this can be overcome with practice and resources provided by the Qt community.
It ultimately depends on the specific needs and goals of the research project. If a visually appealing and user-friendly interface is important for presenting and analyzing data, then it may be worth the effort to re-write the code in Qt. However, if the current code is already functioning well and the interface is not a priority, it may not be necessary to switch to Qt.