Thread: Is It Really That Complex to Add a C++ Library?

I recommend using GCC instead, Borland is a nightmare.

The library that you want is called OpenGL. It's always downloaded precompiled, because compiling it takes several hours. It's a MONSTEROUS library, but it's broken up so if you add it statically (which you should,) you only get what you need added to it.

C++ has no built-in graphics commands, it can't, it's designed to be cross-platform.

OpenGL is technically a C library, because it's old, cross language, and fast as hell. So you don't get the C++ advantages of templates, classes and such, but you can "C++"-ize it.

Code:

struct glBeginner{
   glBeginner(GLenum mode){
      glBegin(mode);
   }
   ~glBeginner(void){
      glEnd();
   }
};

void MakeTriangle(void){
   glBeginner scope(GL_LINES);
   glVertex3i(0, 0);
   glVertex3i(100, 0);
   glVertex3i(50, 50);
}

BTW, "make" should NEVER be done in DOS, it should be done in Cygwin, because make files are designed for *nix.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

so if you add it statically (which you should,)

Add statically? What does that mean?

Originally Posted by ninja9578

templates

Now you're just making me use Google more.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

BTW, "make" should NEVER be done in DOS, it should be done in Cygwin, because make files are designed for *nix.

Yep, I can put that with the rest of the information I didn't know.

Wait, is this something I can just go ahead and download off the internet, or is there more to it than just that?

Originally Posted by youssarian

Add statically? What does that mean?

There are two ways to link a library, statically and dynamically. Statically means that the executable will have the library embedded into it. A dynamic library is one that is separate from the executable and loaded when needed. On Windows it's got a dll extension. If you're doing a lot of graphics, you should add it statically because you have to load it before anything happens anyway.

Now you're just making me use Google more.

Templates are very very important to C++. It's good to lean how to use them. You don't have to, professionally, I rarely use templates, but there are times where there is no other way.

Yep, I can put that with the rest of the information I didn't know.

Thanks!

Cygwin is a Unix terminal for Windows. It gives you a real terminal, where-as DOS is a little kiddie terminal by comparison.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Cygwin is a Unix terminal for Windows. It gives you a real terminal, where-as DOS is a little kiddie terminal by comparison.

Cygwin will link all your files with cygwin1.dll though, to provide Unix functionality. And there is a makefile tool for windows, nmake. Though you do need a custom makefile. Also, powershell is actually a pretty good windows terminal, though I can't be arsed to learn it.

Code:

./configure
make
sudo make install

done

Originally Posted by khh

And there is a makefile tool for windows, nmake. Though you do need a custom makefile.

Then what good is that? make files are designed for UNIX based systems. If you're making an nmake file, it will ONLY work on Windows, and that's not the point of a make file.

This is a good forum for C++. It's supposed to be for professionals, but students creep in every once in a while... especially during finals week for some reason
http://www.codeguru.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Cygwin is a Unix terminal for Windows. It gives you a real terminal, where-as DOS is a little kiddie terminal by comparison.

Just to make one thing clear: cmd.exe is definately not DOS in any way, shape or form. And if you want a real CLI for Windows you use PowerShell anyway.

Originally Posted by youssarian

Wait, is this something I can just go ahead and download off the internet, or is there more to it than just that?

I didn't see this. Yes, OpenGL is free and comes precompiled, you can download it off of the web. Not sure if you can get the 3.2 API, Windows is near the bottom of the importance of porting. Should be able to get 3.0 though.