- Qt 5.3
- Qt QML
- Chapter 2: Connecting to C++ Methods and Signals
- Qt 5.3.2 Reference Documentation

# Chapter 2: Connecting to C++ Methods and Signals

Suppose we want `PieChart` to have a "clearChart()" method that erases the chart and then emits a "chartCleared" signal. Our `app.qml` would be able to call `clearChart()` and receive `chartCleared()` signals like this:

    import Charts 1.0
    import QtQuick 2.0

    Item {
        width: 300; height: 200

        PieChart {
            id: aPieChart
            anchors.centerIn: parent
            width: 100; height: 100
            color: "red"

            onChartCleared: console.log("The chart has been cleared")
        }

        MouseArea {
            anchors.fill: parent
            onClicked: aPieChart.clearChart()
        }

        Text {
            anchors { bottom: parent.bottom; horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter; bottomMargin: 20 }
            text: "Click anywhere to clear the chart"
        }
    }

To do this, we add a `clearChart()` method and a `chartCleared()` signal to our C++ class:

    class PieChart : public QQuickPaintedItem
    {
        ...
    public:
        ...
        Q_INVOKABLE void clearChart();

    signals:
        void chartCleared();
        ...
    };

The use of Q_INVOKABLE makes the `clearChart()` method available to the Qt Meta-Object system, and in turn, to QML. Note that it could have been declared as as a Qt slot instead of using Q_INVOKABLE, as slots are also callable from QML. Both of these approaches are valid.

The `clearChart()` method simply changes the color to Qt::transparent, repaints the chart, then emits the `chartCleared()` signal:

    void PieChart::clearChart()
    {
        setColor(QColor(Qt::transparent));
        update();

        emit chartCleared();
    }

Now when we run the application and click the window, the pie chart disappears, and the application outputs:

    The chart has been cleared

Try out the example yourself with the updated code in Qt's `examples/qml/tutorials/extending/chapter2-methods` directory.

Files:

- tutorials/extending/chapter2-methods/app.qml
- tutorials/extending/chapter2-methods/piechart.cpp
- tutorials/extending/chapter2-methods/piechart.h
- tutorials/extending/chapter2-methods/main.cpp
- tutorials/extending/chapter2-methods/chapter2-methods.pro
- tutorials/extending/chapter2-methods/chapter2-methods.qrc