Kivy: Building GUI and Mobile apps with Python

Intro

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Python library

• for building gui apps (think qt, gdk,processing)
• build from ground up for latest tech like gpu/GLes, multi-touch
• core parts (rendering, events/properties) written in c/cython

Community

• great and active community on ML, IRC, github
• good mix of hackers, professional/business, and student users
• great documentation (with some translation even)

Some showcase apps screenshots

• mobile, same app on iOS and android
• large display / multit-touch
• desktop / presentation app being used (love the metaness)

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Main Features

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Pure GPU accelerated rendering

• graphics compiler architecture, a sort of JIT for drawing instructions
• all rendering using opengl ES
  • runs mostly anywhere these days
  • render pipeline uses shaders, vbo, fbo, etc
  • very powerful for experienced GL hackers

Cross Platform

• Linux, OSX, Windows, android, iOS
  • runs, and support each systems input events
  • input events are mapped to generic ones
  • custom/platform specific data still accessible
• Mobile: same python app on iOS and android
  • build straight to package
  • accepted apps on apple and google app stores
• Supports new and future Input Devices
  • classic GUI toolkits are build on mouse/keyboard paradigm
  • Kivy widgets are multi-touch/pointer from start
  • Also does Mouse/Keyboard well, native + virtual keyboard

Simple but Powerful Widget Tree

• Property/Event autobinding
  • widget properties automatically create events when changed
  • binding keeps data <--> view in sync
• Collection of easily customizable base widgets:
  • labels, images, buttons, layout, text-input, etc

KV language

• Seriously an additional DSL?
  • Yes, but dont worry...its pythonic and you will love it
• Makes certain UI building tasks very easy and efficient
  • automatic property binding
  • quick wireframing, working prototype for production
  • styling/customization of specific / custom widgets classes

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Where to go next

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Website:

• http://kivy.org
• http://kivy.org/docs

Getting involved:

• #kivy on freenode
• kivy-users@googlegroups.com
• kivy-dev@googlegroups.com
• http://github.com/kivy