SDL_bgi is a graphics library (GRAPHICS.H) for C, C++,
WebAssembly, and Python. It's based on SDL2 and it's portable on many
platforms.
Its name refers to BGI, the Borland Graphics Interface that was the
'de facto' standard in PC graphics back in DOS days; it was made
popular by Borland Turbo C/C++ compilers. I wrote SDL_bgi because I
wanted a simple to use but fast graphics library for my experiments
with fractals and cellular automata, using the BGI syntax I'm used to.
SDL_bgi is functionally compatible with the BGI implementation in
Turbo C 2.01 and Borland C++ 1.0; for instance, it compiles and runs
the original bgidemo.c. SDL_bgi also provides nearly full
compatibility with another BGI implementation, WinBGIm (see links
below). One of the aims of SDL_bgi is the preservation of old
software written for BGI; but not only that.
SDL_bgi provides graphics primitives, and is much easier to use than
plain SDL2; it should be especially useful for beginners, i.e. in
introductory programming courses. SDL_bgi is pretty fast, and in
addition to BGI compatibility it provides extensions for ARGB colours,
mouse support, vector fonts, and multiple windows. Native SDL2
functions can be used alongside SDL_bgi functions. SDL_bgi can
also be used in programs written in C++ or Python.
SDL_bgi is written in C, and it should compile on any platform
supported by SDL2. It has been tested on GNU/Linux, MS Windows (MSYS2
and Mingw-w64, CodeBlocks, Dev-C++), macOS (High Sierra and Catalina),
Raspios (ARM, i386), and WebAssembly (Emscripten). A few example
programs in C and Python are provided in the demo/ directory.
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SDL_bgihome page: https://sdl-bgi.sourceforge.io/ -
The SDL library: https://www.libsdl.org/
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BGI on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borland_Graphics_Interface
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WinBGIm, a BGI port for Windows: https://winbgim.codecutter.org/
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Xbgi, a BGI XLib port: http://libxbgi.sourceforge.net/
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Borland Turbo C 2.01 online emulator: https://archive.org/details/msdos_borland_turbo_c_2.01
This library is released under the Zlib license; please see the enclosed file LICENSE.
Brought to you by Guido Gonzato, PhD