I need idea for code desing

[The Storm]

Hi all,

I'm making Qt GUI application with about 5 windows and I need idea how to desing the code. Lets say I have two forms, the first is the main application window the second is some other window. Now here's the deal - I will initalise the main window from the main() function as an object not pointer, after that in the MainWindow class I will put pointer from the other(secondary) window. I will be able to change the UI in to the secondary window from the main window but I will not be able to change things on the main window via the secondary window because he will not have a pointer to the main window. So I ask how I can update both windows UI's from each other classes without to use global pointers.

Thanks.

[jacek]

Use signals and slots mechanism, but first design interfaces of all window classes.

[The Storm]

How I can use signals and slot when I don't have the pointer of the other window to connect it?

[jacek]

If the object exist, you can always get a pointer to it.

[The Storm]

Thanks, I will try my best and I will post if I have problems.

If the object exist, you can always get a pointer to it.

How exactly, if I'm not able to see the object in the code that I need to get it's pointer?

[jacek]

How exactly, if I'm not able to see the object in the code that I need to get it's pointer?

You can pass it there from the point in which you created the object. If you have a window that does something useful, then there must exists some interface between that window and the rest of your code. That's the place where you use signals and slots.

[netuno]

From what I understand your code is something like this right:

/* inside main() */

QMainWindow window1;
QMainWindow *window2 = new QMainWindow();

Is that right?
There are a few ways to deal with this:

1. Pass the second window pointer to the main window, something like this:

window1.setWindow2(window2);

then on the window1 class (subclass from QMainWindow) just do with window2 what you want.

2. Use signals ands slots. Like this:

/* on main() */
connect(&window1, SIGNAL(backgroundChanged(QColor)), window2, SLOT(changeBackground(QColor)));

3. Make window2 a singleton. That way you only have an instance of it, which you can use as you like.

You can also use tcp/ip to comunicate between both of than but it doesn't seem like a good solution for this case.

I hope this helps