Talk:Simple DirectMedia Layer

=remove warnign about images==

Untitled
there was a message sayign please remove the image gallery. For most wikipedia articles this is a good rule. However SDL is a graphics library and probably the single most important thign for all visitors to this page is to see some visual examples of it in use. So I think we should break the wikipedia general rule on image galleries in this case. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 51.7.123.178 (talk) 08:43, 3 April 2018 (UTC)

Misleading Pronoun
" It is often thought of as a cross-platform DirectX "

In the intro section, third paragraph, it seems as though this "it" could refer either to SDL or OpenGL. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.81.163.174 (talk) 05:32, 2007 February 13 (UTC)

Removed binding list
Okay, I guess I was a little bit bold, and went on with some major modifications based on what I read on the talk page. First, I removed the big ugly list with SDL bindings, and replaced it with a single paragraph. Also, I've added some content about the SDL functionality (SDL standard libs, and subsystems) and did a few other minor modifications. I wanted to remove the content table, as it seems useless for a page this small, but I don't know how. Also, some phrases may sound artificial since I'm not a native English speaker, so please modify any phrases you don't like. -- Amenzix 21:58, 24 August 2006 (UTC)

SDL Subtypes
Perhaps some elaboration on the different SDL libraries? (there's just SDL, then SDL_net, SDL_image, etc, etc) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.94.93.13 (talk) 05:50, 2005 June 5 (UTC)

Games using SDL, OpenGL, or both?
I thought Heretic II used OpenGL since it is a 3D game? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 130.243.30.222 (talk) 21:21, 2005 February 15 (UTC)


 * It is possible to have fully 3D games that are OpenGL accelerated but are written using SDL. Sim City for Linux is one example. Kiand 22:31, 15 Feb 2005 (UTC)

It might be good to list which games use SDL entirely (for input, sound, graphics), and those that use it along with others (e.g., SDL for input, OpenGL for graphics). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Billkendrick (talk • contribs) 08:03, 2005 June 6 (UTC)

Many games used SDL with OpenGL for graphics. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.233.244.34 (talk) 09:36, 2005 July 16 (UTC)

SDL can only create a window and a surface for 3D rendering. It must use OpenGL from there for hardware video acceleration (3D rendering). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.96.68.134 (talk) 17:41, 2006 March 12 (UTC)

Clarifying SDL utility and concepts for new programmers
I looked at the SDL home page, then came to this Wikipedia entry, but I'm still not sure who needs it.

What are the disadvantages of using SDL? Is it really useful only for games? Is there any reason to write a business application using SDL? Would it slow down a time-critical video media player application by adding an extra translation layer?

What kind of library is it? There are numerous types at library. Should "library" be made clearer as, "programming language library"?

What is the connection or rivalry with OpenGL?

"Abstraction" in this context has a steep learning curve without an introduction.

What are examples of "managing" the items listed?

Milo 21:08, July 31, 2005 (UTC)

Numeric audio?
I'm guessing this is digital audio, and was originally entered by a Francophone (Numerique)? --Kiand 18:29, 9 October 2005 (UTC)

Elaborate on different SDL platforms?
We've already named the officially supported platforms, but I could name a few unofficial ones.

like:

Dreamcast Xbox (I think) GP32 handheld GP2X handheld ,etc. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.197.162.124 (talk) 01:47, 2005 December 7 (UTC)

Unreal Tournament ?
All versions of unreal tournament use SDL in the linux port. I am not sure about the Windows version. Can anyone confirm this ? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.131.163.253 (talk) 19:42, 2006 February 5 (UTC)

I'm next to positive that neither UT or UT2004 use SDL on Windows. On Windows XP, neither have the tell-tale sdl.dll in their system folders. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.96.68.134 (talk) 17:44, 2006 March 12 (UTC)


 * In that case, I guess I can add it to the linux only list for now :) 66.131.163.253 22:27, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

The ARDI Connection
I'm not sure if it's that important but ARDI Software claims on their website that Sam Latinga first started work on SDL while porting their Executor Emulator from Dos to Windows. The Windows version does use SDL and according to the resume on his website he worked with LokiGames right after working for ARDI. I'm not sure how important this all is but I thought it ought to be out there.

ARDI History Page

Sam Lantinga's Resume Circa December 5, 2001 — Preceding unsigned comment added by Knife thrower (talk • contribs) 21:26, 2006 March 4 (UTC)

Huge number of extensions
"SDL instead has a huge number of third party extensions that make it easy to do more advanced functions." _huge_ number? I'm not so sure about that, there's about 6 that I've enumerated in one of the paragraphs. Also I don't really like the "cross-platform DirectX" thingy. It doesn't fit with SDL which is open-source and free, to be compared with DirectX. Also, while Direct3D is part of DirectX, OpenGL is independent and can be used with a number of libraries (glx, wgl). This way OpenGL isn't really Direct3D's SDL counterpart. If no one disagrees I'll make the changes in about 2 days. -- Amenzix 13:46, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

Is the example worth it?
The example code doesn't do anything not even remotely useful at all; it doesn't even help you taste how programming in SDL feels. Is it worth keeping? It could be improved, but I'm afraid any minimally complex example would be too big for this article. So, I suggest removing it. --Kamek 04:34, 5 November 2006 (UTC)


 * It also claims to be "C++" but is essentially just C with some bool types. Why not just call it C instead of trying to give credence to Stroustrup's fantasy that C++ has subsumed it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.141.142.230 (talk) 16:05, 2 April 2012 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:NWN luskan.jpg
Image:NWN luskan.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to ensure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images lacking such an explanation can be deleted one week after being tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot (talk) 00:51, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

the image gallery
i don't understand the presence of the pictures in here, do they show anything that's unique/proper to SDL? --Jerome Potts (talk) 21:18, 16 April 2008 (UTC)
 * Good question, i don't believe so, they might also give the impression that SDL's only usable for very graphically limited applications, we need better screenshots or no screenshots at all. If you're going to have OTTD screenshots with original artwork you may as well throw in some shots of other, more modern, commercial games. 82.25.68.120 (talk) 16:05, 11 March 2011 (UTC)
 * The pictures don't really do much for the article and they're rather encyclopaedic. Consensus to remove? +1 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.141.142.230 (talk) 16:08, 2 April 2012 (UTC)

Image copyright problem with Image:NWN showdown.jpg
The image Image:NWN showdown.jpg is used in this article under a claim of fair use, but it does not have an adequate explanation for why it meets the requirements for such images when used here. In particular, for each page the image is used on, it must have an explanation linking to that page which explains why it needs to be used on that page. Please check


 * That there is a non-free use rationale on the image's description page for the use in this article.
 * That this article is linked to from the image description page.

The following images also have this problem:


 * Image:Strogg harvester patrol.jpg

This is an automated notice by FairuseBot. For assistance on the image use policy, see Media copyright questions. --00:39, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

The Extensions Section
This could use some editing, but not a full deletion as has recently occurred. SDL does not have all the functionality that a user of competing libraries might expect. The extensions listed should fill in those gaps or significantly improve certain aspects of SDL. If someone is using Wikipedia to do their research into multimedia libraries, then they should come away with a knowledge of what can be done with SDL, rather than what is lacking in it. GrimFang4 (talk) 19:12, 22 September 2009 (UTC)

The Road ahead
There is nothing about when SDL is going to be 1.3 and then perhaps SDL 1.4. I have tried googling many times but couldn't get anything. It would be nice to know if somebody knows something of the future. Shirishag75 (talk) 14:07, 19 June 2010 (UTC)

New version 1.2.15
http://www.libsdl.org/release/changes-1.2.html — Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.218.212.128 (talk) 22:56, 22 January 2012 (UTC)
 * 1.2.15 is now listed as historic and 2.0.0 as stable. But still Release candidate. Not sure what to do (more) with that. In 2.0.0 support is expanded:


 * "Linux, Windows, Windows CE, BeOS, MacOS, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, BSD/OS, Solaris, IRIX, and QNX. The code contains support for AmigaOS, Dreamcast, Atari, AIX, OSF/Tru64, RISC OS, SymbianOS, and OS/2, but these are not officially supported." comp.arch (talk) 18:15, 4 June 2013 (UTC)

Simple DirectMedia Layer Version 2.x
Simple DirectMedia Layer v2.x was nicely introduced at the SteamDevDays 2014 (http://www.steamdevdays.com/) on 2014-02-11. Who is interested in a better article, should watch at least these two videos by Ryan C. Gordon:
 * Game Development with SDL 2.0 and Getting Started with Linux Game Development
 * slides for both available here: http://icculus.org/SteamDevDays/ User:ScotXW t@lk 16:35, 13 March 2014 (UTC)

Wad ROSC OS support readded?
It was dropped in 2.0, but I see it in (and might be reading to much into it):. RISC OS info on SDL 2 (in/out) is hard to find. Anyone know how difficult to add in again if it is out? That is what really changed in SDL (that might explain), RISC OS didn't change that much.. :) comp.arch (talk) 14:22, 24 July 2014 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just modified 2 external links on Simple DirectMedia Layer. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20100629004347/http://www.libsdl.org/games.php?order=name&category=-1&completed=0&os=-1&match_name=&perpage=-1 to http://www.libsdl.org/games.php?order=name&category=-1&completed=0&os=-1&match_name=&perpage=-1
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20121023085701/http://www.ja-galaxy-forum.com/board/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=273148&page=1 to http://www.ja-galaxy-forum.com/board/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=273148&page=1

When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.

Cheers.— InternetArchiveBot  (Report bug) 08:23, 2 December 2017 (UTC)

What is a DirectMedia?
So SDL is a simple layer for DirectMedia but what is DirectMedia? The article does not explain that, SDL's FAQ doesn't either. The CamelCase and the Direct prefix suggests that it is meant to invoke an association to DirectX subsystems at that time (DirectDraw, DirectSound,...) but I cannot find a source for that and explaining names is a common thing for Wikipedia... FunkyMartian (talk) 21:24, 20 June 2023 (UTC)