How to set up a basic Cutelyst project with Qt Creator?

Cutelyst has QtCreator integration; use CMake to configure the project, and follow the tutorial on the wiki for step-by-step guidance on leveraging Qt's development tools.

Cutelyst vs Pistache: which is better for building REST APIs in C++?

Cutelyst offers deeper Qt integration and a plugin-based architecture with features like ActionREST, while Pistache is more lightweight and focused solely on REST. Choose Cutelyst if you need Qt compatibility and extensive built-in features.

How to handle asynchronous database queries in Cutelyst?

Use the ASql plugin for async SQL operations, and ensure to avoid local QEventLoops as cautioned in the README to prevent application crashes during async processing.

Does Cutelyst support WebSocket connections for real-time apps?

Yes, Cutelyst has built-in WebSocket support, allowing real-time communication in web applications without requiring additional libraries.

What template engine does Cutelyst use and is it customizable?

Cutelyst uses Cutelee, a Qt implementation of Django-style templates. You can create custom templates and use the view plugin for rendering, with options for JSON and email views.

How to deploy a Cutelyst application on a production Linux server?

Compile the application with CMake and Qt, then run it using the Cutelyst::Server engine, which supports HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, or FastCGI for scalable production deployment.

Open-Awesome

Cutelyst

BSD-3-ClauseC++v5.0.1

A C++ web framework built on Qt, inspired by Catalyst's simplicity, with HTTP/2, WebSockets, and async support.

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972 stars120 forks0 contributors

What is Cutelyst?

Cutelyst is a C++ web framework built on top of Qt, designed with the simple and elegant approach of the Catalyst (Perl) framework. It uses Qt's meta object system to introspect controller method signatures and generate matching actions, providing a robust foundation for building high-performance web applications with features like HTTP/2, WebSockets, and asynchronous processing.

Target Audience

C++ developers building web applications who want a Qt-based framework with modern features like HTTP/2, WebSockets, and async support, and who appreciate the simplicity of Catalyst's design.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Cutelyst for its stable API/ABI, cross-platform compatibility, and comprehensive feature set including pluggable engines, plugin-based views, and asynchronous processing, all built on the reliable Qt framework.

Overview

A C++ Web Framework built on top of Qt, using the simple approach of Catalyst (Perl) framework.

Use Cases

Best For

Building high-performance web applications in C++ with Qt integration
Developing RESTful APIs with HTTP/2 and WebSocket support
Creating cross-platform web servers with async processing capabilities
Implementing secure web applications with built-in authentication and CSRF protection
Leveraging C++23 coroutines for asynchronous web programming
Using Django-style templates (via Cutelee) in C++ web projects

Not Ideal For

Projects prioritizing rapid development cycles with interpreted languages like Python or Node.js
Teams without existing Qt infrastructure or expertise seeking a lightweight, minimal-dependency web framework
Applications deployed in serverless or containerized environments where C++ compilation and Qt dependencies add overhead
Developers needing extensive third-party middleware or plugins not available in the C++/Qt ecosystem

Pros & Cons

Pros

High Performance Benchmarks

Cutelyst is cited in TechEmpower benchmarks for competitive speed, with features like HTTP/2 and async processing supporting scalability and low latency.

Qt Meta Object Integration

Leverages Qt's meta object system to introspect controller method signatures and generate actions, providing a stable API/ABI and elegant Catalyst-inspired design.

Comprehensive Built-in Features

Includes core plugins for session management, authentication with PBKDF2, CSRF protection, and supports multiple view engines like Cutelee and JSON out of the box.

Modern Asynchronous Support

Supports C++23 coroutines via CoroContext and async SQL with ASql, enabling modern asynchronous web programming without relying on callbacks.

Cons

Async Code Complexity

The README warns against using local QEventLoops in async contexts to prevent crashes, indicating potential pitfalls and a steep learning curve for robust asynchronous implementation.

Heavy Dependency Chain

Requires Qt 6.4+ and CMake 3.28+, which complicates setup and increases deployment overhead, especially for projects not already using Qt.

Niche Community Support

Documentation is limited to a wiki and API, with community interaction via a mailing list, suggesting a smaller ecosystem and fewer resources compared to mainstream frameworks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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