Compile a Qt project from command Line

Question

I am developing a application using Qt, the C++ library/framework. Using the QT-Creator I can compile my project just fine and the build directory generates the desired exec

Answer 1

Thanks for the tips guys. I realized what I was doing wrong. QT-Creator actually takes the first two steps silently.

1. Create the build output directory
2. CD to the build output directory (KEY STEP)
3. Call qmake referencing the .pro file
4. Call make

So, the key thing that I overlooked was that you had to be in the build directory first and then call qmake, make etc... And also if the build already has the files compiled it throws that error. I just have to make sure I clean the build directory to compile everything fresh.

Answer 2

In terminal window

1. cd ~/your_project_folder/
2. qmake -project
3. qmake
4. make

Answer 3

If compiling an existing project, qmake -project is actually wrong, see "qmake --help".

qmake -makefile
make

If its a large project, "make -j4" or similar.