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Forum Update on Monday, May 27th 2025

Problems when adding serialport module in Qt project

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  • douglasD douglas

    @J.Hilk The Manage Kit button shows the settings reported below, in which I can't find any information regarding the Qt version in use:
    0_1528882243058_5fd714c7-c885-44b9-9911-43fbdc2ec394-immagine.png

    If from terminal I write

    $ qmake --version
    

    I obtain the following:

    qmake: could not exec '/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/qt4/bin/qmake': No such file or directory
    

    Is it relevant the "qt4" shown in that prompt?
    Thanks.

    J.HilkJ Offline
    J.HilkJ Offline
    J.Hilk
    Moderators
    wrote on last edited by
    #19

    @douglas
    well, there we have your problem

    0_1528882573156_25bb3434-9c9d-43e1-91e3-d1d195bd5377-image.png

    you have no QtLibary selected to your kit. Se if you can actually select a QtVersion from that dropdown menu. If you can't than you need to install an actual qt version.

    I would recommend the online installer from the Webside.


    Be aware of the Qt Code of Conduct, when posting : https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct


    Q: What's that?
    A: It's blue light.
    Q: What does it do?
    A: It turns blue.

    douglasD 1 Reply Last reply
    1
    • J.HilkJ J.Hilk

      @douglas
      well, there we have your problem

      0_1528882573156_25bb3434-9c9d-43e1-91e3-d1d195bd5377-image.png

      you have no QtLibary selected to your kit. Se if you can actually select a QtVersion from that dropdown menu. If you can't than you need to install an actual qt version.

      I would recommend the online installer from the Webside.

      douglasD Offline
      douglasD Offline
      douglas
      wrote on last edited by
      #20

      @J.Hilk Thanks, I added the version as shown below:
      0_1528884090398_f92cd759-ed4c-403b-9ff6-6b0378c19b45-immagine.png
      Now, since I should have Qt5, I added the serialport support in my .pro file, but the "unknow module" error still remains. I saw another thing that seems not so clear to me: I run Qt Creator from linux terminal, and when I open my project the terminal shows the following lines, marked in red, in which appears Qt4. Can this be related to the serialport module error?
      0_1528884382827_59039698-8cd0-49c5-8a93-a8c89abf87c9-immagine.png
      thank you again.

      jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • douglasD douglas

        @J.Hilk Thanks, I added the version as shown below:
        0_1528884090398_f92cd759-ed4c-403b-9ff6-6b0378c19b45-immagine.png
        Now, since I should have Qt5, I added the serialport support in my .pro file, but the "unknow module" error still remains. I saw another thing that seems not so clear to me: I run Qt Creator from linux terminal, and when I open my project the terminal shows the following lines, marked in red, in which appears Qt4. Can this be related to the serialport module error?
        0_1528884382827_59039698-8cd0-49c5-8a93-a8c89abf87c9-immagine.png
        thank you again.

        jsulmJ Offline
        jsulmJ Offline
        jsulm
        Lifetime Qt Champion
        wrote on last edited by
        #21

        @douglas Above you said you installed Qt 5.6, now you selected Qt 5.7.1
        Which Qt version do you really want to use and did you install QtSearialPort for Qt 5.7.1?

        https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

        douglasD 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • jsulmJ jsulm

          @douglas Above you said you installed Qt 5.6, now you selected Qt 5.7.1
          Which Qt version do you really want to use and did you install QtSearialPort for Qt 5.7.1?

          douglasD Offline
          douglasD Offline
          douglas
          wrote on last edited by
          #22

          @jsulm when I spoke about Qt 5.6 I was referring to the "About Qt Creator" window shown above. Now I selected Qt 5.7.1 as the version for my kit. But the serialport module isn't recognized yet. What I should do to correctly install QtSerialPort for my actual version?

          Pablo J. RoginaP 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • douglasD douglas

            @jsulm when I spoke about Qt 5.6 I was referring to the "About Qt Creator" window shown above. Now I selected Qt 5.7.1 as the version for my kit. But the serialport module isn't recognized yet. What I should do to correctly install QtSerialPort for my actual version?

            Pablo J. RoginaP Offline
            Pablo J. RoginaP Offline
            Pablo J. Rogina
            wrote on last edited by
            #23

            @douglas could it be possible that you start from scratch with a clean installation of Qt, ideally latest version 5.11? you may try in a virtual machine just in case.

            Upvote the answer(s) that helped you solve the issue
            Use "Topic Tools" button to mark your post as Solved
            Add screenshots via postimage.org
            Don't ask support requests via chat/PM. Please use the forum so others can benefit from the solution in the future

            1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • SGaistS Offline
              SGaistS Offline
              SGaist
              Lifetime Qt Champion
              wrote on last edited by
              #24

              Is it me or are you trying to build your project for an embedded system ?
              I see that you are trying to use an arm compiler, did you cross-compile Qt for your device ?

              Interested in AI ? www.idiap.ch
              Please read the Qt Code of Conduct - https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

              1 Reply Last reply
              4
              • douglasD Offline
                douglasD Offline
                douglas
                wrote on last edited by
                #25

                @SGaist Yes, my target device runs Linux Yocto. Can this affect the serialport module I am trying to install?

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • SGaistS Offline
                  SGaistS Offline
                  SGaist
                  Lifetime Qt Champion
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #26

                  Sur it does, you are trying to install the desktop version of the driver and then, use it to do cross-compilation.

                  Interested in AI ? www.idiap.ch
                  Please read the Qt Code of Conduct - https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                  douglasD 1 Reply Last reply
                  2
                  • SGaistS SGaist

                    Sur it does, you are trying to install the desktop version of the driver and then, use it to do cross-compilation.

                    douglasD Offline
                    douglasD Offline
                    douglas
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #27

                    @SGaist I see. So, if I need to cross-compile, which steps should I follow in order to use the serialport in my project?
                    Are there different libraries or drivers I need to install on my host PC?
                    The target linux embedded device runs Linux Yocto.

                    jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • douglasD douglas

                      @SGaist I see. So, if I need to cross-compile, which steps should I follow in order to use the serialport in my project?
                      Are there different libraries or drivers I need to install on my host PC?
                      The target linux embedded device runs Linux Yocto.

                      jsulmJ Offline
                      jsulmJ Offline
                      jsulm
                      Lifetime Qt Champion
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #28

                      @douglas You need Qt (together with Qt Searial Port) cross compiled for your device

                      https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                      douglasD 1 Reply Last reply
                      2
                      • jsulmJ jsulm

                        @douglas You need Qt (together with Qt Searial Port) cross compiled for your device

                        douglasD Offline
                        douglasD Offline
                        douglas
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #29

                        @jsulm I already set up the project in order to cross-compile for my target: in fact, I have already managed to run my application on the target device. The problem is the serial port module: I did not succeeded in including it into my project. Are there any particular hints to follow in the case of cross-compilation?
                        Thank you!

                        jsulmJ J.HilkJ 2 Replies Last reply
                        0
                        • douglasD douglas

                          @jsulm I already set up the project in order to cross-compile for my target: in fact, I have already managed to run my application on the target device. The problem is the serial port module: I did not succeeded in including it into my project. Are there any particular hints to follow in the case of cross-compilation?
                          Thank you!

                          jsulmJ Offline
                          jsulmJ Offline
                          jsulm
                          Lifetime Qt Champion
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #30

                          @douglas Did you cross compile Qt serial port module?

                          https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • douglasD douglas

                            @jsulm I already set up the project in order to cross-compile for my target: in fact, I have already managed to run my application on the target device. The problem is the serial port module: I did not succeeded in including it into my project. Are there any particular hints to follow in the case of cross-compilation?
                            Thank you!

                            J.HilkJ Offline
                            J.HilkJ Offline
                            J.Hilk
                            Moderators
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #31

                            @douglas
                            How did you cross-compile for your target device?

                            I would asume you cloned the qt-sources from git or something similar. However did you crosscompile the whole Framework or only part of it? For any Qt-Program to run you'll need only QtBase, however serialport is a plugin and needs to be compiled seperately.


                            Be aware of the Qt Code of Conduct, when posting : https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct


                            Q: What's that?
                            A: It's blue light.
                            Q: What does it do?
                            A: It turns blue.

                            douglasD 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • J.HilkJ J.Hilk

                              @douglas
                              How did you cross-compile for your target device?

                              I would asume you cloned the qt-sources from git or something similar. However did you crosscompile the whole Framework or only part of it? For any Qt-Program to run you'll need only QtBase, however serialport is a plugin and needs to be compiled seperately.

                              douglasD Offline
                              douglasD Offline
                              douglas
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #32

                              @J.Hilk Where can I found the procedure to cross-compile the serial port module?
                              Thank you.

                              J.HilkJ 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • douglasD douglas

                                @J.Hilk Where can I found the procedure to cross-compile the serial port module?
                                Thank you.

                                J.HilkJ Offline
                                J.HilkJ Offline
                                J.Hilk
                                Moderators
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #33

                                @douglas like you did the other modules

                                git clone git://code.qt.io/qt/<qt-module>.git -b <qt-version>
                                cd <qt-module>
                                
                                qmake
                                make
                                make install
                                

                                Be aware of the Qt Code of Conduct, when posting : https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct


                                Q: What's that?
                                A: It's blue light.
                                Q: What does it do?
                                A: It turns blue.

                                Pablo J. RoginaP 1 Reply Last reply
                                1
                                • J.HilkJ J.Hilk

                                  @douglas like you did the other modules

                                  git clone git://code.qt.io/qt/<qt-module>.git -b <qt-version>
                                  cd <qt-module>
                                  
                                  qmake
                                  make
                                  make install
                                  
                                  Pablo J. RoginaP Offline
                                  Pablo J. RoginaP Offline
                                  Pablo J. Rogina
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #34

                                  @douglas if you could please show us

                                  How did you cross-compile for your target device?

                                  It may help understanding your issue

                                  Upvote the answer(s) that helped you solve the issue
                                  Use "Topic Tools" button to mark your post as Solved
                                  Add screenshots via postimage.org
                                  Don't ask support requests via chat/PM. Please use the forum so others can benefit from the solution in the future

                                  douglasD 1 Reply Last reply
                                  1
                                  • Pablo J. RoginaP Pablo J. Rogina

                                    @douglas if you could please show us

                                    How did you cross-compile for your target device?

                                    It may help understanding your issue

                                    douglasD Offline
                                    douglasD Offline
                                    douglas
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #35

                                    @Pablo-J.-Rogina , after the Qt Creator installation, I followed the indication from 2.1 to 2.7 chapter here:
                                    http://variwiki.com/index.php?title=Yocto_Qt_Creator&release=RELEASE_MORTY_V1.0_DART-6UL#QtCreator_configuration
                                    in which, as far as I see, the environment is configured to cross-compile for my target device.
                                    Now, I am able to create a simple GUI application and run it on my target device, but I can't add the serialport component (in order to manage a RS485 communication) in my project.
                                    Unfortunatelly, I'm a beginner in this matter!
                                    Thanks a lot!

                                    Pablo J. RoginaP 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • douglasD douglas

                                      @Pablo-J.-Rogina , after the Qt Creator installation, I followed the indication from 2.1 to 2.7 chapter here:
                                      http://variwiki.com/index.php?title=Yocto_Qt_Creator&release=RELEASE_MORTY_V1.0_DART-6UL#QtCreator_configuration
                                      in which, as far as I see, the environment is configured to cross-compile for my target device.
                                      Now, I am able to create a simple GUI application and run it on my target device, but I can't add the serialport component (in order to manage a RS485 communication) in my project.
                                      Unfortunatelly, I'm a beginner in this matter!
                                      Thanks a lot!

                                      Pablo J. RoginaP Offline
                                      Pablo J. RoginaP Offline
                                      Pablo J. Rogina
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #36

                                      @douglas said in Problems when adding serialport module in Qt project:

                                      Now, I am able to create a simple GUI application and run it on my target device

                                      Ok, that's a great step. Reading briefly the link you posted to that wiki page, I assume you setup your environment in a Linux PC and using Qt Creator there, you built that simple GUI app that Qt Creator deployed and run in your device.

                                      If that's correct, I'd try the following:

                                      1. from command line in let's say /home/douglas/projects do
                                      cd /home/douglas/projects
                                      git clone git://code.qt.io/qt/qtserialport.git -b 5.9
                                      cd qtserialport
                                      

                                      so you should now have a folder /home/douglas/projects/qtserialport will sources for Qt serial port module release 5.9 (the Qt release should match what you have in your dev environment/device, you didn't stated it so far).
                                      2. run commands:

                                      /opt/fslc-x11/2.2.1/sysroot/x86_64-fslcsdk-linux/usr/bin/qt5/qmake
                                      make
                                      make install
                                      

                                      once build and install finishes, you should have the .so shared library and headers into the proper location under your host PC (I couldn't figure out the proper location from the wiki page). But look for something like this (version shuold be the one you cloned...):

                                      ./include/QtSerialPort/qtserialportversion.h
                                      ./include/QtSerialPort/qserialportinfo.h
                                      ./include/QtSerialPort/qserialportglobal.h
                                      ./include/QtSerialPort/5.9.0/QtSerialPort/private/qserialport_p.h
                                      ./include/QtSerialPort/5.9.0/QtSerialPort/private/qserialportinfo_p.h
                                      ./include/QtSerialPort/qserialport.h
                                      

                                      and

                                      ./lib/libQt5SerialPort.so
                                      

                                      if you succeed here, then you should be able to create a project file (.pro) for your application and add the serial port modulie like this:

                                      ...
                                      QT += serialport
                                      ...
                                      

                                      and the magic will flow.

                                      Upvote the answer(s) that helped you solve the issue
                                      Use "Topic Tools" button to mark your post as Solved
                                      Add screenshots via postimage.org
                                      Don't ask support requests via chat/PM. Please use the forum so others can benefit from the solution in the future

                                      douglasD 1 Reply Last reply
                                      2
                                      • Pablo J. RoginaP Pablo J. Rogina

                                        @douglas said in Problems when adding serialport module in Qt project:

                                        Now, I am able to create a simple GUI application and run it on my target device

                                        Ok, that's a great step. Reading briefly the link you posted to that wiki page, I assume you setup your environment in a Linux PC and using Qt Creator there, you built that simple GUI app that Qt Creator deployed and run in your device.

                                        If that's correct, I'd try the following:

                                        1. from command line in let's say /home/douglas/projects do
                                        cd /home/douglas/projects
                                        git clone git://code.qt.io/qt/qtserialport.git -b 5.9
                                        cd qtserialport
                                        

                                        so you should now have a folder /home/douglas/projects/qtserialport will sources for Qt serial port module release 5.9 (the Qt release should match what you have in your dev environment/device, you didn't stated it so far).
                                        2. run commands:

                                        /opt/fslc-x11/2.2.1/sysroot/x86_64-fslcsdk-linux/usr/bin/qt5/qmake
                                        make
                                        make install
                                        

                                        once build and install finishes, you should have the .so shared library and headers into the proper location under your host PC (I couldn't figure out the proper location from the wiki page). But look for something like this (version shuold be the one you cloned...):

                                        ./include/QtSerialPort/qtserialportversion.h
                                        ./include/QtSerialPort/qserialportinfo.h
                                        ./include/QtSerialPort/qserialportglobal.h
                                        ./include/QtSerialPort/5.9.0/QtSerialPort/private/qserialport_p.h
                                        ./include/QtSerialPort/5.9.0/QtSerialPort/private/qserialportinfo_p.h
                                        ./include/QtSerialPort/qserialport.h
                                        

                                        and

                                        ./lib/libQt5SerialPort.so
                                        

                                        if you succeed here, then you should be able to create a project file (.pro) for your application and add the serial port modulie like this:

                                        ...
                                        QT += serialport
                                        ...
                                        

                                        and the magic will flow.

                                        douglasD Offline
                                        douglasD Offline
                                        douglas
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #37

                                        @Pablo-J.-Rogina Thanks a lot for your post, I'll now begin to put it into practice. I have just one doubt: if I run:

                                        qmake --version
                                        

                                        I obtain:

                                        QMake version 2.01a
                                        Using Qt version 4.8.7 in /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu
                                        

                                        So, if I'm not wrong, the installed version of Qt is the 4.8.7 (quite old). When you stated, in your #1 step, "git clone git://code.qt.io/qt/qtserialport.git -b 5.9" were you assuming my Qt version was 5.9? In other words, the serialport version and the installed qt version should be the same?
                                        If so, how can I upgrade from my actual Qt version to the latest one?
                                        Thanks a lot!

                                        aha_1980A 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • douglasD douglas

                                          @Pablo-J.-Rogina Thanks a lot for your post, I'll now begin to put it into practice. I have just one doubt: if I run:

                                          qmake --version
                                          

                                          I obtain:

                                          QMake version 2.01a
                                          Using Qt version 4.8.7 in /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu
                                          

                                          So, if I'm not wrong, the installed version of Qt is the 4.8.7 (quite old). When you stated, in your #1 step, "git clone git://code.qt.io/qt/qtserialport.git -b 5.9" were you assuming my Qt version was 5.9? In other words, the serialport version and the installed qt version should be the same?
                                          If so, how can I upgrade from my actual Qt version to the latest one?
                                          Thanks a lot!

                                          aha_1980A Offline
                                          aha_1980A Offline
                                          aha_1980
                                          Lifetime Qt Champion
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #38

                                          @douglas

                                          you can have multiple Qt versions installed, so please check carefully which one you use.

                                          For the qmakes that are not in PATH, you have to specify the full path, e.g. /opt/Qt/5.9.0/bin/qmake

                                          Regards

                                          Qt has to stay free or it will die.

                                          douglasD 1 Reply Last reply
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