SDL or Allegro?

[eatcomics]

SDL sluts!

lol, I havn't used either officially, I've dabbled in both secret arts, but my money would be on sdl, that's what I think I will end up using...

[BOMBERMAN]

If you are going to use OpenGL too, my vote is for SDL.
Else, I think both are good so I can't say in this case

[Jazonxyz]

SDL, hands down.

Its more flexible.

[Ginto8]

I say SDL, but I am trying to learn SFML right now, to see how much of a difference there is... I'll give you my opinion in the SDL/SFML debate later.

[RyanPridgeon]

I would say SDL, because it's more powerful and teaches you much better programming practice.

Also, especially because you're planning on using openGL; SDL has a wrapper for openGL. meaning you can use the non-graphical features of SDL with the powerful graphics provided by openGL.

And as someone here once said (can't remember who), "It's better to dive in at the deep end, than dive in at the shallow end and hit your head on the bottom."

That's just my two pennies' worth.

[Ginto8]

To actually give my opinion on the SDL/SFML debate, I'll tell you what I call SFML now: Stupid French Media Layer. It DOES NOT LIKE ME. SDL does.

[aerosmithfan4ever]

SDL definetly. I used Allegro before, but...

[Moosader]

Allegro is a bit easier, but if you intend to use OpenGL, I'd suggest SDL.
Or you could play with both, it's not too hard to change between. My main hang-up is how Allegro has an easy text rendering function, and with SDL it's more of a pain.

SDL does support multithreading, though, and has additional libraries for socket stuff.

Oh, and there are more resources out there for learning SDL, I believe.

[K-Bal]

Allegro or SDL? -> SFML

[sparda]

Here we go again. Ok ok, I'll admit it, SFML sucks ballz. SDL does own for the reason Lusikka pointed out. Allegro is pretty sweet though, so I'd advice learning both SDL and Allegro; they are not hard pic up simultaneously.

[K-Bal]

Maybe you should just try all these libraries and choose the one that gives you the best impression.

Take the time to go through some tutorials, that should help to make a decision.

[Ginto8]

For all those out there about to try out SFML, I'd like to kindly point out that it cannot count as an API. The amount of crap that they do for you is so insanely large that it is more of a graphics engine. Also, I found that SFML does not seem to work for me, though that may just be because of the fact that, when I was foolish enough to use SFML, I had little to no clue as to how I should structure a program (see my rank I am working on redeeming myself). SFML may be the right thing for you, but you cannot truly compare it to SDL. SDL is a window/graphics API. SFML is a window/graphics engine. Keep that in mind when making your choice.

[K-Bal]

For all those out there about to try out SFML, I'd like to kindly point out that it cannot count as an API. The amount of crap that they do for you is so insanely large that it is more of a graphics engine. Also, I found that SFML does not seem to work for me, though that may just be because of the fact that, when I was foolish enough to use SFML, I had little to no clue as to how I should structure a program (see my rank I am working on redeeming myself). SFML may be the right thing for you, but you cannot truly compare it to SDL. SDL is a window/graphics API. SFML is a window/graphics engine. Keep that in mind when making your choice.

Well, than you should define what the difference between an engine and an API is first. It might be that SFML is a bit more high level than SDL, but you still have full control of your program, so you are not limited in any way.

However, this is not a SFML vs. SDL thread. I just wanted to point out that there is more than SDL and Allegro.

[programmerinprogress]

this is not a SFML vs. SDL thread.

Then why did toy bring it up

Allegro or SDL? -> SFML

I personally like SDL after trying both allegro and SDL, but I think that's mainly because I used SDL before Allegro, so I understand it a little better.

[K-Bal]

this is not a SFML vs. SDL thread.

Then why did toy bring it up

Allegro or SDL? -> SFML

You are quoting me out of context. As I said before, I just wanted to point out that there is more than SDL and Allegro.