PyQt : Emtting signal from QThread to QWidget

Question

I've been meaning to implement a chat client/server, with PyQt handling the GUI front. The problem I'm facing is when I want to tell an already connected client that another new client has joined. Initially I worked it around by adding a "refresh users" button which sends the client the updated list. However, now when a client has to message another, I realise that I will obviously have to create a separate thread which keeps on checking for data from the server. I have trying since yesterday, reading various posts/answers, forums but still can't get this to work.

What I want is a separate thread which is executed at the start of the program that checks for data from the server and can emit signals that instigate the function in a GUI thread to change the users list. How do I make a thread that works constantly and emits signals that can be caught by the main GUI loop ? And how should I catch the signal ?

Answer 1

Same as with other Qt components: you create a QThread for your network management, the QThread derived class emits signals with some data coming from network; on the main thread side, you have QObjects and QWidgets that you connect to those signals. Take a look at the following (in that order):

• Qt Threading Basics
• Thread Support in Qt
• How to use QThreads
• Another How to use QThreads
• what is the correct way to implement a QThread... (example please...)

Once you have read these and tried your own code, then you can post a new question with more specific issues you are having. Otherwise, your question is too broad.