I am developing a lightweight SDL3 version of the library with support for older systems. \ VOGONS

I am developing a lightweight SDL3 version of the library with support for older systems.

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First post, by JordanCpp

Posted on 2025-03-18, 22:52

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Greetings!

Repo: https://github.com/JordanCpp/SDL3Lite

I am developing a lightweight version of the SDL3 library. I like programming for old computers. But this does not mean that I use assembler. The project is being developed on C++ 98 with minimal dependencies. And it already works on Windows 95 and higher. On Linux, Debian 3 and higher.

This is a lightweight implementation of the SDL3 library. I really like the SDL3 library, but it saddens me that with each release of a new version, support for older systems is removed. Therefore, I decided to write a simpler version compatible at the API level. To support old and new systems, architectures, and operating systems.

In future versions I plan to add support for Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS.

Reply 1 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on 2025-03-18, 22:59

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I will be glad to answer your questions.

Reply 2 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on 2025-03-18, 23:59

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Example.

Reply 3 of 13, by ajacocks

Posted on 2025-03-19, 05:38

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Very nice work @JordanCpp!

I'll be watching your progress, with interest.

- Alex

Reply 4 of 13, by roytam1

Posted on 2025-03-19, 05:51

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targeting Win95 may have chance running on NT 3.51 unmodified.

Reply 5 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on 2025-03-19, 07:43

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I think I'll finish the minimal version for release soon. Render, Window, events.

I haven't tested compatibility with Windows NT yet. I think everything will work.

Reply 6 of 13, by Jo22

Posted on 2025-03-19, 20:43

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Awesome! ^^ I'm looking forward to see older Windows run more recent software! 😃👍

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 7 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on Yesterday, 19:57

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Hi. I'm working on a library. I'm currently improving graphics support. I'm porting the library to Dos.

Can someone please post a link to the github on reddit?

I've been unable to pass the moderation and filters. All the posts I create are being deleted.

Reply 8 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on Yesterday, 19:57

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If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them.

Reply 9 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on Yesterday, 22:13

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To test the library, I started writing an engine for the Arcanum game. I've already started developing before, but I've been using SDL.

Translate it with an online translator. Since the articles are in Russian.

Lessons.
https://habr.com/ru/articles/835980/
https://habr.com/ru/articles/838118/
https://habr.com/ru/articles/848046/

Project
https://github.com/JordanCpp/ArcanumTutorial_Habr

Another project on the idea of arcanum (there is a screenshot)
https://github.com/JordanCpp/ArcanumWorld

Reply 10 of 13, by Jo22

Posted on Yesterday, 22:24

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Very good worķ! Thanks a lot! ^^

Can someone please post a link to the github on reddit?

I would, but don’t have an account over there yet myself. 😞
Maybe a fellow Vogons user can help out ? 🙂

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 11 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on Yesterday, 22:35

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Maybe I'm an idealist. But I want to use the SDL3Lite project to simplify development for new and old computers, and in the future, game consoles.

To be able to create new games for old PCs and compile them for new ones with the same ease.
I wrote it once, and you compile it on all platforms. And it's all working.

I'm looking for developers to develop a project together.

Reply 12 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on Yesterday, 23:53

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The project code is written as simply as possible. There is no assembly code, only pure C++98.

To port to DOS and Windows 3.1, I use the Open Watcom 2.0 compiler.
I want to support 16 and 32 bit DOS.
I plan to support 320x200, mode x, as well as VESA.

Reply 13 of 13, by JordanCpp

Posted on Today, 00:04

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In future versions, I will add different rendering options. OpenGL 3+, Vulkan, 3dfx glide, directdraw, directx 7+.

But it's not a priority right now.
The main thing is to finish the graphical functionality and processing of the keyboard and mouse, and make the first release.

I think it's possible to do this in two weeks.

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