What is Tkinter?

Tkinter is a Python Package for creating GUI applications. Python has a lot of GUI frameworks, but Tkinter is the only framework that’s built into the Python standard library.

Tkinter has several strengths; it’s cross-platform, so the same code works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Tkinter is lightweight and relatively painless to use compared to other frameworks. This makes it a compelling choice for building GUI applications in Python, especially for applications where a modern shine is unnecessary, and the top priority is to build something functional and cross-platform quickly.  

Use Cases of Tkinter

1. Creating windows and dialog boxes: Tkinter can be used to create windows and dialog boxes that allow users to interact with your program. These can be used to display information, gather input, or present options to the user.

To create a window or dialog box, you can use the Tk() function to create a root window, and then use functions like Label, Button, and Entry to add widgets to the window.

2. Building a GUI for a desktop application: Tkinter can be used to create the interface for a desktop application, including buttons, menus, and other interactive elements.

To build a GUI for a desktop application, you can use functions like Menu, Checkbutton, and RadioButton to create menus and interactive elements and use layout managers like pack and grid to arrange the widgets on the window.

3. Adding a GUI to a command-line program: Tkinter can be used to add a GUI to a command-line program, making it easier for users to interact with the program and input arguments.

To add a GUI to a command-line program, you can use functions like Entry and Button to create input fields and buttons, and use event handlers like command and bind to handle user input.

4. Creating custom widgets: Tkinter includes a variety of built-in widgets, such as buttons, labels, and text boxes, but it also allows you to create your own custom widgets.

To create a custom widget, you can define a class that inherits from the Widget class and overrides its methods to define the behavior and appearance of the widget.

5. Prototyping a GUI: Tkinter can be used to quickly prototype a GUI, allowing you to test and iterate on different design ideas before committing to a final implementation.

To prototype a GUI with Tkinter, you can use the Tk() function to create a root window, and then use functions like Label, Button, and Entry to add widgets to the window and test different layouts and design ideas.

Tkinter Alternatives

There are several libraries that are similar to Tkinter and can be used for creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in Python. Some examples include:

1. PyQt: PyQt is a GUI library that allows you to create GUI applications using the Qt framework. It is a comprehensive library with a large number of widgets and features.
2. wxPython: wxPython is a library that allows you to create GUI applications using the wxWidgets framework. It includes a wide range of widgets in it’s GUI toolkit and is cross-platform, meaning it can run on multiple operating systems.
3. PyGTK: PyGTK is a GUI library that allows you to create GUI applications using the GTK+ framework. It is a cross-platform library with a wide range of widgets and features.
4. Kivy: Kivy is a library that allows you to create GUI applications using a modern, responsive design. It is particularly well-suited for building mobile apps and games.
5. PyForms: PyForms is a library that allows you to create GUI applications using a simple, declarative syntax. It is designed to be easy to use and has a small footprint.
6. Pygame: PyForms is a library that is popular because you can develop video games using it. It is a free, open source, and cross-platform wrapper for the Simple DirectMedia Library (SDL). You can check Pygame Tutorial if you are interested in video game development.

In summary, there are several libraries available for creating GUI applications in Python, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Tkinter is a popular choice, but you may want to consider other options depending on your specific needs and requirements.

To understand Tkinter better, we will create a simple GUI. 

We are now stepping into making applications with graphical elements, we will learn how to make cool apps and focus more on its GUI(Graphical User Interface) using Tkinter.