Thread: is API better then SDL?

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    is API better then SDL?

    I was just wondering, but is API better then SDL, or not?


    Oh, and what is GUI? is it something i should learn as well if im building a game?
    Last edited by ExDHaos; 05-19-2009 at 06:20 AM.

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    SDL is an API, so I think you are confused about something.

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    Quote Originally Posted by matsp View Post
    SDL is an API, so I think you are confused about something.

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    really? then why they use separate libraries?

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    What you are asking is something like "Which is better a BMW or a CAR?" - SDL is a library that provides an application programmer with a certain functionality, through an interface. Thus it is a Application Programming Interface - API.

    Presumably you would like to compare the SDL API with <some other> API.

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    Quote Originally Posted by matsp View Post
    What you are asking is something like "Which is better a BMW or a CAR?" - SDL is a library that provides an application programmer with a certain functionality, through an interface. Thus it is a Application Programming Interface - API.

    Presumably you would like to compare the SDL API with <some other> API.

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    Thanks alot, now I understand it, anyways, what is the bestt interface programming should i learn before learning OpenGL or DirectX?

    And can u explain me what is GUI (I know it stands for -Graphical User Interface- or something like that) is it good?

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    Quote Originally Posted by ExDHaos
    Thanks alot, now I understand it, anyways, what is the bestt interface programming should i learn before learning OpenGL or DirectX?
    The C++ Standard Library.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
    I get maybe two dozen requests for help with some sort of programming or design problem every day. Most have more sense than to send me hundreds of lines of code. If they do, I ask them to find the smallest example that exhibits the problem and send me that. Mostly, they then find the error themselves. "Finding the smallest program that demonstrates the error" is a powerful debugging tool.
    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

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    History of the graphical user interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    As to what is "best to learn", if you define "best", I can POSSIBLY answer that...

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    Quote Originally Posted by laserlight View Post
    The C++ Standard Library.
    Is STL is interface programming? =/

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    Given that you tend to throw out things that you don't quite know what you mean by, I'd say you need to define what you mean by "interface programming"...

    To be at least somewhat "complete" as a C++ programmer, you should know how to use STL, for sure. If you want to do Direct3D or OpenGL programming, then knowing how to use STL will help you achieve some of the things you may need to do - it won't solve all problems, but it will help.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ExDHaos
    Is STL is interface programming? =/
    In some ways, yes, but frankly, I probably misinterpreted your question. Instead of "interface programming", talk about "user interface (programming) library" (or framework, or toolkit). If you want to be specific, mention "console" or "graphical" user interface.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
    I get maybe two dozen requests for help with some sort of programming or design problem every day. Most have more sense than to send me hundreds of lines of code. If they do, I ask them to find the smallest example that exhibits the problem and send me that. Mostly, they then find the error themselves. "Finding the smallest program that demonstrates the error" is a powerful debugging tool.
    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

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    It sounds like you just need to get down and dirty with the very basics of programming before thinking about these things. Not to sound rude but it sounds like you just started programming and really have no idea what you are talking about Learn the basics, you know the walk before you run deal and all that.

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    Quote Originally Posted by laserlight View Post
    In some ways, yes, but frankly, I probably misinterpreted your question. Instead of "interface programming", talk about "user interface (programming) library" (or framework, or toolkit). If you want to be specific, mention "console" or "graphical" user interface.
    To be honest I still don't have anything specific, I'm just wondering which one has the more freedom in graphics/interface matter, which one is the most flexible. but as to console, I use windows so its the best if it works good with windows.

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    Quote Originally Posted by matsp View Post
    Given that you tend to throw out things that you don't quite know what you mean by, I'd say you need to define what you mean by "interface programming"...

    To be at least somewhat "complete" as a C++ programmer, you should know how to use STL, for sure. If you want to do Direct3D or OpenGL programming, then knowing how to use STL will help you achieve some of the things you may need to do - it won't solve all problems, but it will help.

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    So you say its the best approach to DirectX and OpenGL?

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    Quote Originally Posted by ExDHaos View Post
    So you say its the best approach to DirectX and OpenGL?
    Huh? How did you manage to read that out of my message. I said I agree that learning STL is an important part of becoming a complete C++ programmer. And IF you wish to use either of those 3D graphics API's, you will need to understand the basics of C++ first.

    Are there other things you should also learn? Probably.

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    Quote Originally Posted by matsp View Post
    Huh? How did you manage to read that out of my message. I said I agree that learning STL is an important part of becoming a complete C++ programmer. And IF you wish to use either of those 3D graphics API's, you will need to understand the basics of C++ first.

    Are there other things you should also learn? Probably.

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    Oh sorry, I guess I misunderstood you.

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