Install pyqt with Homebrew

Project links

• Homepage
• Package manager page

Commands and aliases

• pylupdate6
• pyuic6

Project history

PyQt was created by Riverbank Computing to expose the Qt C++ application framework through Python. PyQt6 tracks Qt 6, while PyQt5 remains available for Qt 5 applications and PyQt4 is unsupported.

Adoption history

PyQt6 is the Qt 6 generation of PyQt. Riverbank distributes it as source archives and binary wheels, while package managers such as Homebrew make the bindings and their command-line development tools available as system packages.

How it is used

Developers import PyQt6 modules to build Qt applications in Python. The packaged pylupdate6 utility updates translation catalogs, while pyuic6 converts Qt Designer user-interface files into Python code.

Why package nerds care

PyQt6 matters to package enthusiasts because it joins two substantial runtime ecosystems—Python and Qt—and exposes their version, ABI, licensing, and platform-support relationships. The Homebrew formula also supplies utilities such as pyuic6 and pylupdate6 used in Qt application development.

Timeline

• 1990s: Riverbank Computing began developing PyQt as Python bindings for Qt.
• 2020s: PyQt6 became the generation targeting Qt 6.
• Current: Riverbank distributes PyQt6 as source archives and binary wheels, and Homebrew packages it as pyqt.

Related projects

• Qt is the underlying cross-platform application framework.
• SIP is Riverbank Computing’s binding generator and build technology.
• PyQt5 is the preceding, Qt 5-oriented generation of the bindings.

Sources

• Riverbank Computing official download page: https://www.riverbankcomputing.com/software/pyqt/download
• Riverbank Computing official introduction: https://www.riverbankcomputing.com/software/pyqt
• source_facts.executables
• source_facts.package-manager