SDL books

FYI,

There is a small chapter on SDL in Premier Press’s “Data Structures for
Game Programmers” (one of Andre’ LaMothe’s book series).

I haven’t read the book, so I can’t comment on it, but was surprised to
see SDL mentioned when flipping through it in a local bookstore. The
purpose of the book isn’t really SDL related so much as it was
convenient for making graphical programs that illustrated the algorithms
and concepts that are the heart of the text.

I did read “Focus on SDL”, also in this book series, and it is quite
good if you are just starting out with SDL. It’s realistic about usage,
and isn’t afraid to comment sincerely on parts of the API it dislikes
(including my naming scheme for function parameters in SDL_mixer
grin).

John Hall’s “Programming Linux Games” and Mark Collins’s “Linux Game
Programming” also cover SDL, among other things.

Anyone know of other books that cover this topic? I’d like to be aware
of them and whether or not they are worth recommending.

–ryan.

Hi Ryan,

You can “abuse” Amazon.com’s full text search feature by entering “simple
directmedia layer” as the search expression.

I do not know if this URL works for you, but this is the results page I
receive:

It shows excerpts in which the search expression occurs. According to
Amazon.com, not all books have been made available for full text search
yet.

-TimOn Sun, 18 Jan 2004 13:08:39 -0500, Ryan C. Gordon wrote:

FYI,

There is a small chapter on SDL in Premier Press’s “Data Structures for
Game Programmers” (one of Andre’ LaMothe’s book series).

I haven’t read the book, so I can’t comment on it, but was surprised to
see SDL mentioned when flipping through it in a local bookstore. The
purpose of the book isn’t really SDL related so much as it was
convenient for making graphical programs that illustrated the algorithms
and concepts that are the heart of the text.

I did read “Focus on SDL”, also in this book series, and it is quite
good if you are just starting out with SDL. It’s realistic about usage,
and isn’t afraid to comment sincerely on parts of the API it dislikes
(including my naming scheme for function parameters in SDL_mixer
grin).

John Hall’s “Programming Linux Games” and Mark Collins’s “Linux Game
Programming” also cover SDL, among other things.

Anyone know of other books that cover this topic? I’d like to be aware
of them and whether or not they are worth recommending.

–ryan.


SDL mailing list
SDL at libsdl.org
http://www.libsdl.org/mailman/listinfo/sdl

I’m making an SDL book page, so if you find any more, please let me know!

Thanks,
-Sam Lantinga, Software Engineer, Blizzard Entertainment

I’m making an SDL book page, so if you find any more, please let me
know!

Linux Game Programming
"…You will also find valuable information on 2D graphics using SDL,…"
http://www.courseptr.com/ptr_detail.cfm?isbn=0761532552
Paperback: 368 pages
Premier Press; Book and CD-ROM edition (March 1, 2002)
ISBN: 0761532552
Review:
http://www.gamedev.net/columns/books/bookdetails.asp?productid=115

Windows and Linux Game Programming: Integrating SDL, OpenGL, and
DirectX
http://www.bookchecker.com/1592000746
Did not find a better link or a review. Even Premier Press don`t know,
that they have published this book;-)
Premier Press January, 2004
Paperback ISBN: 1592000746

CarstenOn Sat, 31 Jan 2004 08:51:34 -0800 Sam Lantinga wrote:

Wow, cool! Didn’t know there were books on SDL. Hmm… I’d also like to know if
the creators of SDL plan writing a book on the API itself.

  • Akinwale> On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 08:51:34 -0800 Sam Lantinga wrote:

I’m making an SDL book page, so if you find any more, please let me
know!

Linux Game Programming
"…You will also find valuable information on 2D graphics using SDL,…"
http://www.courseptr.com/ptr_detail.cfm?isbn=0761532552
Paperback: 368 pages
Premier Press; Book and CD-ROM edition (March 1, 2002)
ISBN: 0761532552
Review:
http://www.gamedev.net/columns/books/bookdetails.asp?productid=115

Windows and Linux Game Programming: Integrating SDL, OpenGL, and
DirectX
http://www.bookchecker.com/1592000746
Did not find a better link or a review. Even Premier Press don`t know,
that they have published this book;-)
Premier Press January, 2004
Paperback ISBN: 1592000746

Carsten


SDL mailing list
SDL at libsdl.org
http://www.libsdl.org/mailman/listinfo/sdl

“Programming Linux Games” by John R. Hall has a very good chapter on SDL.
Honestly, I’m surprised he hasn’t chimed in yet on this topic, since he
actually reads this list, and I’m assured he actually filters for the word
"book."> ----- Original Message -----

From: gpa@linux.bdhackers.net (Akinwale Ariwodola)
To:
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: [SDL] SDL books…

Wow, cool! Didn’t know there were books on SDL. Hmm… I’d also like to
know if
the creators of SDL plan writing a book on the API itself.

  • Akinwale

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 08:51:34 -0800 Sam Lantinga wrote:

I’m making an SDL book page, so if you find any more, please let me
know!

Linux Game Programming
"…You will also find valuable information on 2D graphics using SDL,…"
http://www.courseptr.com/ptr_detail.cfm?isbn=0761532552
Paperback: 368 pages
Premier Press; Book and CD-ROM edition (March 1, 2002)
ISBN: 0761532552
Review:
http://www.gamedev.net/columns/books/bookdetails.asp?productid=115

Windows and Linux Game Programming: Integrating SDL, OpenGL, and
DirectX
http://www.bookchecker.com/1592000746
Did not find a better link or a review. Even Premier Press don`t know,
that they have published this book;-)
Premier Press January, 2004
Paperback ISBN: 1592000746

Carsten


SDL mailing list
SDL at libsdl.org
http://www.libsdl.org/mailman/listinfo/sdl


SDL mailing list
SDL at libsdl.org
http://www.libsdl.org/mailman/listinfo/sdl


Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.571 / Virus Database: 361 - Release Date: 1/26/2004

I’m pretty sure the creator of SDL (Sam, you know, the guy making the list
of books ) is a little too busy to find time to write a decent book on the
subject, same with the doc team. John’s book (Programming Linux Games, No
Starch Press) is great though, he’s active on the mailing list and the irc
channel, so it makes it as official as a book is ever going to be.> ----- Original Message -----

From: gpa@linux.bdhackers.net (Akinwale Ariwodola)
To:
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: [SDL] SDL books…

Wow, cool! Didn’t know there were books on SDL. Hmm… I’d also like to
know if
the creators of SDL plan writing a book on the API itself.

  • Akinwale

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 08:51:34 -0800 Sam Lantinga wrote:

I’m making an SDL book page, so if you find any more, please let me
know!

Linux Game Programming
"…You will also find valuable information on 2D graphics using SDL,…"
http://www.courseptr.com/ptr_detail.cfm?isbn=0761532552
Paperback: 368 pages
Premier Press; Book and CD-ROM edition (March 1, 2002)
ISBN: 0761532552
Review:
http://www.gamedev.net/columns/books/bookdetails.asp?productid=115

Windows and Linux Game Programming: Integrating SDL, OpenGL, and
DirectX
http://www.bookchecker.com/1592000746
Did not find a better link or a review. Even Premier Press don`t know,
that they have published this book;-)
Premier Press January, 2004
Paperback ISBN: 1592000746

Carsten


SDL mailing list
SDL at libsdl.org
http://www.libsdl.org/mailman/listinfo/sdl


SDL mailing list
SDL at libsdl.org
http://www.libsdl.org/mailman/listinfo/sdl