QGIS 2.4 - Python 2.7 PyQT4.Qtcore.QStringList Import failed

I receive an import error when trying to import QStringList from the QGIS Python console (or when loading a custom plugin).

from PyQt4.QtCore import QStringList
Traceback (most recent call last):
 File "", line 1, in 
ImportError: cannot import name QStringList

I receive no error when using the same import from an ipython console or executing a standalone python script.

Python 2.7.5+ [GCC 4.8.1]

Please advise

Answer

You can't import QStringList in QGIS 2.x because we are using SIP bindings v2 which auto converts the types to Python types.

If you are buildling at a standalone app you should import qgis.core before import PyQt4 because PyQt4 will set the sip API to V1 before QGIS can set it to v2.

Long story short:

Do this:

from qgis.core import *
from PyQt4.QtCore import *

Not this:

from PyQt4.QtCore import *
from qgis.core import *

Because:

QGIS sets the API version to 2 or else PyQt4 will set it to version 1. Once it's set it can't be changed.

Version 2 is heaps better so use that.