wxPython is a wrapper for the cross-platform GUI toolkit wxWidgets, implemented as a set of Python extension modules. It allows Python developers to create robust, highly functional graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for their applications. wxWidgets itself is a C++ library that enables programs to compile and run on a variety of computer platforms (such as Windows, macOS, and Linux/Unix) with minimal or no code changes, while still offering a native look and feel for each platform.
Key features of wxPython include:
1. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Applications built with wxPython can run on Windows, macOS, and various Unix-like systems (like Linux) without needing to change the source code.
2. Native Look and Feel: Unlike some other cross-platform toolkits that use custom widget sets, wxPython applications use the native GUI controls (widgets) provided by the operating system. This means a wxPython application on Windows will look and behave like a standard Windows application, and similarly on macOS or Linux.
3. Extensive Widget Set: wxPython provides a comprehensive set of widgets (buttons, text boxes, list boxes, trees, menus, toolbars, etc.) as well as advanced controls and custom drawing capabilities.
4. Event-Driven Programming: Like most GUI toolkits, wxPython operates on an event-driven model. Users interact with widgets, generating events (e.g., button clicks, mouse movements, key presses), which the application then responds to.
5. Direct Binding to wxWidgets: wxPython binds directly to the wxWidgets C++ libraries, offering near-native performance and access to the full power of the underlying toolkit.
wxPython is an excellent choice for developing desktop applications in Python, offering a good balance of power, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly for applications that require a native user experience across different operating systems.
Example Code
import wx
class MyFrame(wx.Frame):
def __init__(self, parent, title):
super(MyFrame, self).__init__(parent, title=title, size=(300, 200))
panel = wx.Panel(self)
Create a sizer for layout management
vbox = wx.BoxSizer(wx.VERTICAL)
Add a static text widget (label)
static_text = wx.StaticText(panel, label='Hello, wxPython!')
font = wx.Font(18, wx.FONTFAMILY_DEFAULT, wx.FONTSTYLE_NORMAL, wx.FONTWEIGHT_BOLD)
static_text.SetFont(font)
Center the text
vbox.Add(static_text, 0, wx.ALIGN_CENTER | wx.TOP, 30)
Add a button
button = wx.Button(panel, label='Click Me')
vbox.Add(button, 0, wx.ALIGN_CENTER | wx.TOP, 20)
Bind the button click event to a handler method
self.Bind(wx.EVT_BUTTON, self.on_button_click, button)
panel.SetSizer(vbox)
self.Centre()
self.Show(True)
def on_button_click(self, event):
wx.MessageBox('You clicked the button!', 'Info', wx.OK | wx.ICON_INFORMATION)
if __name__ == '__main__':
app = wx.App(False) Create a new app, don't redirect stdout/stderr to a window
frame = MyFrame(None, 'Simple wxPython App')
app.MainLoop() Start the event loop








wxPython