Programming with SDL
PROGRAMMING Creating a game with SDL Creating a game Programming with SDL In this, the first in a series of articles, type fonts (TTF). Most of these libraries have been submitted by end users and Steven Goodwin looks at SDL.What it do not form part of the main SDL pack- age. This is not a problem in itself, but if is. How it works. And more impor- your primary purpose is to use SDL for cross-platform development work, be tantly, how to use it to write a brand sure to check the libraries’ availability new game, Explorer Dug. for your particular platform, since not all are fully supported. BY STEVEN GOODWIN The Windows heritage of SDL is very evident within the API, as much of the Figure 1:The opening image terminology (and many of the functions) have very close equivalents in DirectX. DL stands for Simple DirectMedia for Linux, using the SDL project, by com- However, it does not emulate Windows Layer and is a cross-platform API panies that otherwise, are unwilling (or in any way. Instead, every call to the SDL Sfor programming multi-media unable) to release their source code to graphics API, for example, will make applications, such as games. It provides the world. direct use of a driver from the host oper- a stable base on which developers may Some of the most notable releases have ating system, rather from an emulated work, without being concerned with come from the aforementioned Loki system. how the hardware will deal with it – or Games and include Civilization: Call to On Windows, this means DirectX.
[Show full text]