Linux Graphics Programming with SVGAlib: An Easy-to-Use Reference for Linux Graphics Programmers

Link, Jay

ISBN 10: 1576105245 / ISBN 13: 9781576105245

Published by Coriolis Group, 2000

About this Item

Corners are slightly bent. Used - Good.

Seller Inventory # 10-Y-5-0136

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Linux Graphics Programming with SVGAlib: An Easy-to-Use Reference for Linux Graphics Programmers
• Publisher: Coriolis Group
• Publication Date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1576105245
• ISBN 13: 9781576105245
• Binding: paperback
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

A book/CD-ROM package for beginners as well as more advanced users and developers, showing how to integrate the functionality of SVGAlib into programmers' own code. Gives instructions in programming with SVGAlib, demonstrates how to create games and other graphical applications, and gives code examples. The CD-ROM contains SVGAlib games. Assumes some experience with C/C++ programming. The author is an experienced programmer and currently owns and operates an Internet provider. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Review

Jay Link knows a lot about graphics programming in C, and he knows a lot about the Linux operating system. He fuses his skills elegantly in Linux Graphics Programming with SVGAlib, a definitive document on using the low-level C graphics library known as SVGAlib. If you know C and have done a bit of programming in Linux, you're ready for what Link has to say in these pages. That is, you're ready if you have a lot of spare time, because Link's descriptions of his adventures in Linux graphics are sure to inspire you to spend a lot more time hacking away at your graphics code. It's that kind of book. Link clearly likes his subject, and he lets his personal explorations guide the organisation of the manuscript. As you follow him through one "ah-ha!" solution after another, you'll get inspired to work harder on your own imaginings. Typical sections show how to generate a Julia set, how to apply antialiasing to lines and shapes, how to do colour gradients, and how to simulate landscapes through fractal techniques.

Link knows that he's not the authority on all aspects of Linux graphics programming, so he's not shy about crediting others for their development of special-purpose algorithms that are generally accepted as good practice. In a typical section, he'll explain a problem first (such as getting graphics to appear at startup time, à la Mac OS or Windows 98) and then the best solution he's located or developed himself. In some cases (such as the aforementioned graphics-at-startup problem), he admits that there appears to be no SVGAlib solution, so he offers a workaround. Plenty of code listings pepper the pages of this book; they appear on the companion CD-ROM as well. --David Wall, amazon.com

Topics covered: Linux graphics programming in C, with emphasis on the SVGAlib library of functions. All aspects of graphics programming get attention, including pixels, lines, shapes, colours, fonts, and image files. There's also protracted coverage of more specialised subjects, including raytracing, game graphics, interactions with mice and joysticks, and hardware issues. References to the Libvga and Libvgagl library functions conclude the book.