SFML Cross-Platform Stability?

[JCSopko]

I've used SFML in the past and fell in love with its simplicity and versatility but I'm concerned to move forward with building my own framework with it because I'm worried of Mac OS support not being solid enough.

The reason I want to use a framework is so I don't have to worry about what the framework does, I don't want to commit to using SFML if I'm going to have to play around with its insides to fix bugs for Mac every now and then.

Has anyone picked up the Mac OS port to ensure better future stability?

If not does anyone have any suggestions for a library with strong Win/Mac/Linux support that's similar to SFML?

My only alternative option right now is Allegro.





TL;DR.

Need high level C++ 2d graphics library with solid support for Win/Mac/Linux. Recommend please.

[Laurent]

What about SDL?

[JCSopko]

A little too low level for my tastes and it's Mac port is technically third party. I was using it actually and was porting my SFML framework to SDL but I was getting frustrated with how much lower leveled SDL is.

SFML's ease of use is one of the best I've ever run into.

what to do T_T

Laurent do you know if current SFML stable release runs ok on new Mac OS Lion?

[Laurent]

By the way, the Mac OS X port of SFML 1.6 is pretty stable, and the SFML 2 port is actively maintained and will soon be usable.

[Laurent]

I have no idea about Lion (I didn't even know about it ), but if it works on Tiger it should be ok I think.

[JCSopko]

Thanks a bunch Luarent. A few more questions for clarification:

-So SFML 2 is actively maintained on all the platforms, Win/Mac/Linux?

-How difficult is it porting from SFML 1.6 to SFML2?

-Sorry for this one =p Any benchmark for when SFML2 will be stable? =D

[Laurent]

-So SFML 2 is actively maintained on all the platforms, Win/Mac/Linux?

Yes. I'm maintaining the Windows and Linux version, and currently Hiura (he's french) is working on the Mac OS X port.

-How difficult is it porting from SFML 1.6 to SFML2?

I would say it's easy, but it depends what SFML modules and classes you use.

-Sorry for this one =p Any benchmark for when SFML2 will be stable? =D

The performances of the graphics module have already been improved in SFML 2, and it might change again before the public release.
For sure I'll post a benchmark of SFML 1 vs SFML 2 when it's stable

[JCSopko]

Awesome thank you!

sorry for last question misunderstanding, I meant how long until you think it will be released as a stable version.

I really appreciate all the work you guys do by the way. =] nice work.

[Ceylo]

Laurent do you know if current SFML stable release runs ok on new Mac OS Lion?

:lol: Would you be running a developer preview ? I'm asking that because Mac OS X Lion is not event released (and is not expected before spring 2011).

Anyway if you're not convinced about the Mac port, you should search for the reported issues on this forum and make your own opinion .

[Laurent]

sorry for last question misunderstanding, I meant how long until you think it will be released as a stable version.

Depends what you mean by "stable":
- public release: a few months I think
- stable public API: a little less few months
- stable internally (no bugs): it is already stable

[Hiura]

Yes. I'm maintaining the Windows and Linux version, and currently Hiura (he's french) is working on the Mac OS X port.

I'm not French.   but anyway, about Lion from what I've heard the futur port for SFML should work on it. I don't have the posibility to check it ou yet as I've got only the developer release 10.6.5 as iOS devloper. But the past has shown that Apple cares a lot about backward compatibility so we should not be disappointed. :wink:

[Laurent]

I'm not French

Sorry :lol:
I meant "french speaking".

[JCSopko]

Thanks Laurent, Ceylo, and Hiura. I appreciate the help and responses. I've been porting my applications from SFML 1.6 to SFML2 without any problems and am satisfied with the stability of SFML2. =]

@Ceylo I wish I was running a developer preview =]