@ -12,16 +12,30 @@ Another way to put this is I want to teach people how to make games that don't c
The `sfmldemo` currently contains a very bare build using [Meson](https://mesonbuild.com) to build a [SFML](https://www.sfml-dev.org) project. This currently builds on Windows with MinGW but I haven't tested it anywhere else. The build takes the [example code from imgui-sfml](https://github.com/SFML/imgui-sfml) and makes it work, so you have a game window with a working GUI in it already. That is actually remarkable feat on Windows.
The `sfmldemo` currently contains a very bare build using [Meson](https://mesonbuild.com) to build a [SFML](https://www.sfml-dev.org) project. This currently builds on Windows with MinGW but I haven't tested it anywhere else. The build takes the [example code from imgui-sfml](https://github.com/SFML/imgui-sfml) and makes it work, so you have a game window with a working GUI in it already. That is actually remarkable feat on Windows.
To get this working the rough (ROUGH) steps are:
### Windows
1. Get MinGW and Meson installed.
To get this working the rough (ROUGH) steps on Windows are:
2. Run setup.ps1
1. Get MinGW and [Meson](https://mesonbuild.com/) installed.
2. Run `.\setup.ps1`
3. `meson compile -C builddir`
4. `.\builddir\sfmldemo` -- That should run it and you see a window with ImGUI's demo panel.
**WARNING**: You should look in the `setup.ps1` and `reset_build.p1` files for how a build is actually configured. The most important line is at the bottom `meson setup -Ddefault_library=static builddir` which properly configures the build so that the `sfmldemo.exe` program actually runs. Without the `-Ddefault_library=static` the `sfmldemo.exe` file will not have the `.dll` files it needs and will silently fail. If it fails to start then run `start builddir` and double click on it to get the error messages. Then run `reset_build.ps1` to get a good build.
### OSX
1. Get XCode and [Meson](https://mesonbuild.com/) installed.
2. Run `./setup.sh`
3. `meson compile -C builddir`
3. `meson compile -C builddir`
4. `meson install -C builddir` -- Careful with this, it might install stuff in unwanted areas. On my computer it put them in `C:\` but I have to read the instructions on how to set the install location.
4. `.\builddir\sfmldemo` -- That should run it and you see a window with ImGUI's demo panel.
5. `./builddir/sfmldemo` -- That should run it and you see a window with ImGUI's demo panel.
I'll have more extensive instructions in a later blog post, but if you have time try this out and let me know how it went at help@learncodethehardway.com. Please let me know if you tried a different compiler, Windows version, etc. If you're on OSX or Linux it should work the same but Linux people might want to use their package manager instead.
I'll have more extensive instructions in a later blog post, but if you have time try this out and let me know how it went at help@learncodethehardway.com. Please let me know if you tried a different compiler, Windows version, etc. If you're on OSX or Linux it should work the same but Linux people might want to use their package manager instead.
## Linux
I actually don't have a Linux computer ready to test, but if you have a brand of Linux you like then try the OSX instructions and email me at [help@learncodethehardway.com](mailto:help@learncodethehardway.com).
## SDL2 Test
## SDL2 Test
One of the goals is to use a simple framework that provides many things people need for a game. SFML fits this goal because it comes with graphics, audio, network, and threads in one C++ library. It's also useable from multiple languages, not just C++, so it has more potential for spin-off courses in the future. Finally, the same code seems to work the same on all platforms.
One of the goals is to use a simple framework that provides many things people need for a game. SFML fits this goal because it comes with graphics, audio, network, and threads in one C++ library. It's also useable from multiple languages, not just C++, so it has more potential for spin-off courses in the future. Finally, the same code seems to work the same on all platforms.
@ -38,3 +52,7 @@ The list goes on, and on, and each of these has slightly different code. You ha
Finally, SDL2 works fine in C++ (as demonstrated by the `sdl2demo`) but SFML is actually C++ so working with it is going to be easier. It can also be a nice study project for people who want to learn more. With SDL2 there's a constant mental translation going on between C and C++, so it's not going to be as attractive for education.
Finally, SDL2 works fine in C++ (as demonstrated by the `sdl2demo`) but SFML is actually C++ so working with it is going to be easier. It can also be a nice study project for people who want to learn more. With SDL2 there's a constant mental translation going on between C and C++, so it's not going to be as attractive for education.
When you combine the lack of cross platform code, the lack of C++, and the need to use many different libraries just to make SDL2 as capable as SFML, I'm going with SFML for the course. If you have a nice demo that shows me a single piece of code that compiles everywhere and has everything like the SFML demo then show me. I'm always open to be proven wrong.
When you combine the lack of cross platform code, the lack of C++, and the need to use many different libraries just to make SDL2 as capable as SFML, I'm going with SFML for the course. If you have a nice demo that shows me a single piece of code that compiles everywhere and has everything like the SFML demo then show me. I'm always open to be proven wrong.
## Next Test
A more complete demo that uses the various features of SFML, like audio and maybe joystick controls. The idea is to create a "spike" that runs the major features of SFML in order to make sure they're available on different platforms.
