Qt 4.3: Multiple Inheritance Example

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# Multiple Inheritance Example

Files:

- uitools/multipleinheritance/calculatorform.cpp
- uitools/multipleinheritance/calculatorform.h
- uitools/multipleinheritance/main.cpp

The Multiple Inheritance Example shows how to use a form created with Qt Designer in an application by subclassing both QWidget and the user interface class, which is `Ui::CalculatorForm`.

To subclass the `calculatorform.ui` file and ensure that `qmake` processes it with the `uic`, we have to include `calculatorform.ui` in the `.pro` file, as shown below:

     SOURCES = calculatorform.cpp main.cpp
     HEADERS = calculatorform.h
     FORMS = calculatorform.ui

When the project is compiled, the `uic` will generate a corresponding `ui_calculatorform.h`.

## CalculatorForm Definition

In the `CalculatorForm` definition, we include the `ui_calculatorform.h` that was generated earlier.

     #include "ui_calculatorform.h"

As mentioned earlier, the class is a subclass of both QWidget and `Ui::CalculatorForm`.

     class CalculatorForm : public QWidget, private Ui::CalculatorForm
     {
         Q_OBJECT

     public:
         CalculatorForm(QWidget *parent = 0);

     private slots:
         void on_inputSpinBox1_valueChanged(int value);
         void on_inputSpinBox2_valueChanged(int value);
     };

Two slots are defined according to the automatic connection naming convention required by `uic`. This is to ensure that QMetaObject's auto-connection facilities connect all the signals and slots involved automatically.

## CalculatorForm Implementation

In the constructor, we call `setupUi()` to load the user interface file. Note that we do not need the `ui` prefix as `CalculatorForm` is a subclass of the user interface class.

     CalculatorForm::CalculatorForm(QWidget *parent)
         : QWidget(parent)
     {
         setupUi(this);
     }

We include two slots, `on_inputSpinBox1_valueChanged()` and `on_inputSpinBox2_valueChanged()`. These slots respond to the valueChanged() signal that both spin boxes emit. Whenever there is a change in one spin box's value, we take that value and add it to whatever value the other spin box has.

     void CalculatorForm::on_inputSpinBox1_valueChanged(int value)
     {
         outputWidget->setText(QString::number(value + inputSpinBox2->value()));
     }

     void CalculatorForm::on_inputSpinBox2_valueChanged(int value)
     {
         outputWidget->setText(QString::number(value + inputSpinBox1->value()));
     }

## `main()` Function

The `main()` function instantiates QApplication and `CalculatorForm`. The `calculator` object is displayed by invoking the show() function.

     int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     {
         QApplication app(argc, argv);
         CalculatorForm calculator;
         calculator.show();
         return app.exec();
     }

There are various approaches to include forms into applications. The Multiple Inheritance approach is just one of them. See Using a Component in Your Application for more information on the other approaches available.