Same C graphic libraries for both windows & Macs?

Greetings,
I have a need to learn "C programming language".
Which I will probably use on win7, Arduino, and Mac.
C on Arduino is a tiny subset of regular C, so I can scratch that off.
I would like to learn one language that runs on all three platforms.
I think C is that language. But I will need to use windows-like graphic controls.
I have completed the 15 C Tutorials here:
C Programming Tutorial - 15 - Simple Arrays - YouTube

I think i need to stay away from win32API, because it is specific to windows.
What C-libraries would you folks recommend?
Something that can run on both windows & Macs?
And has good, all purpose, graphics libraries.

Thanks...vmars316

You need to understand the difference between a language and a library.

C (and C++) don't give a damn about graphics (or networking, file systems, keyboards, mice, etc etc).

The steps you need are
- Learn how to program (largely independent of any given language)
- Learn a programming language (largely independent of any specific platform)
- Learn platform specific API's

The first will last you a lifetime, the second will last a decade or two (or more).

As for libraries, they come and go, and are updated pretty regularly. Picking the right APIs is a skill in itself, so feel free to try several and learn what each can do.

But if you want to write GUI programs without worrying too much about the OS underneath, then here's a list.
List of widget toolkits - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There's plenty to choose from, so perhaps look at this one first -> wxWidgets

WxWidgets does not have a C interface.

GTK has a C API and works on Mac and windows.

GTK+ 3 Reference Manual

OpenGL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Quzah.

I'd say you need to learn much more of C ..and programming in general, than watching videos upto "Simple Arrays" before thinking about any kind of graphics programming.
Consider reading up on Algorithms and Data Structures, some Design Patterns and of course a good book on the language of your choice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Salem

But if you want to write GUI programs without worrying too much about the OS underneath, then here's a list.
List of widget toolkits - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There's plenty to choose from, so perhaps look at this one first -> wxWidgets

---

Thanks...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MK27

WxWidgets does not have a C interface.

GTK has a C API and works on Mac and windows.

GTK+ 3 Reference Manual

---

Great info, Thanks...vmars

SDL Simple DirectMedia Layer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tim S.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MK27

WxWidgets does not have a C interface.

GTK has a C API and works on Mac and windows.

GTK+ 3 Reference Manual

---

This is looking pretty good.
GTK+ - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Here they show some C code:
#include <gtk/gtk.h>

Code:

---

int main (int argc, char *argv[])
{
    GtkWidget *window;
    GtkWidget *label;
 
    gtk_init(&argc, &argv);
 
    /* Create the main, top level window */
    window = gtk_window_new(GTK_WINDOW_TOPLEVEL);
 
    /* Give it the title */
    gtk_window_set_title(GTK_WINDOW(window), "Hello, world!");
 
    /*
    ** Map the destroy signal of the window to gtk_main_quit;
    ** When the window is about to be destroyed, we get a notification and
    ** stop the main GTK+ loop by returning 0
    */
    g_signal_connect(window, "destroy", G_CALLBACK(gtk_main_quit), NULL);
 
    /*
    ** Assign the variable "label" to a new GTK label,
    ** with the text "Hello, world!"
    */
    label = gtk_label_new("Hello, world!");
 
    /* Plot the label onto the main window */
    gtk_container_add(GTK_CONTAINER(window), label);
 
    /* Make sure that everything, window and label, are visible */
    gtk_widget_show_all(window);
 
    /*
    ** Start the main loop, and do nothing (block) until
    ** the application is closed
    */
    gtk_main();
 
    return 0;
}

---

This code seems understandable, something I can work with.
(The "GTK+ example using Vala instead of C" looks even better,
but its an extra layer to deal with.)
What I am not clear about is will GTK+ also need "X Window System",
and/or "GLib Object System, or GObject"?

What I need the graphics for is mostly for VisualControls(form,buttons,listbox,etc.),
and maybe a little bit of pixel tweaking(replace one color with another).

Thanks...vm