Using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for C++ and Qt Application Development (Part 1)

If you're a C++ developer, with or without Qt, on Windows, and sometimes need to test your application on Linux, there's an easy way to build and test it without rebooting now. Microsoft introduced Windows Subsystem for Linux. A mechanism to run a lightweight virtual machine with a Linux distribution with just a few clicks with elegant integration with the host OS. I'll show you how to install it and configure for working with C++ and Qt applications. Here are the steps to follow to install: * Windows Terminal application: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/windows-terminal/9N0DX20HK701 * Development tools installation: sudo apt install build-essential gdb cmake ninja-build git * Packages for running Qt installer: sudo apt install libfontconfig1 libxcb-glx0 libx11-xcb1 libxcb-icccm4 libxcb-image0  libxcb-keysyms1 libxcb-randr0 libxcb-render-util0  libxcb-sync1 libxcb-xfixes0  libxcb-xinerama0 libxcb-xkb1 libxkbcommon-x11-0 libgl1 libegl1 libxcb-shape0 libxcb-cursor0 libglx-dev libgl1-mesa-dev * Sample Qt Widgets application: https://github.com/KDABLabs/kdabtv-wsl-widgets-sample * Packages for compiling the Qt Widgets application: sudo apt install libgl-dev libxcb-cursor0 libwayland-cursor0 libwayland-egl1 * WSL documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/ All Windows and Qt videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6CJYn40gN6jg89K4VaFY4GgVEkqe2abs About the host: This video is presented by Miłosz Kosobucki, a software engineer in KDAB. He has been working professionally with C++ and Qt for more than 10 years across a range of industries in areas like game development, embedded systems and desktop applications. Every month our newsletter is featuring technical blogs on Qt, C++ and 3D topics: https://www.kdab.com/development-resources/sign-up-for-our-newsletter/ About KDAB: KDAB offers experienced software experts to help you deliver functional, high-performing, and innovative software across embedded, mobile, and desktop platforms for projects using C++, Qt, QML/Qt Quick, OpenGL, Qt 3D, and more.  https://www.kdab.com/software-services KDAB experts regularly take time out to deliver KDAB’s world class training, in-house or at open enrollment courses around the world. We are the market leaders for training in Qt, OpenGL, and C++. Contact us to find out more at [email protected] or visit our website: https://www.kdab.com/software-services/scheduled-training/ We are 100+ people, located all around the world. Our Head Office is in Sweden and we have other offices in Germany, France, the UK, and the USA. https://www.kdab.com/about/contact/