SDL Tutorials By Sean Eaton
Introduction:
The main goal of these sets of tutorials is to provide explanation and
detail on how the Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) library can be used to
create graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for use on a Raspberry Pi 3
Model B. This Rasberry Pi model is the one that was used for the
development of FLC's PCR machine. It is a low cost computer that is
able to boot various Linux distributions and control a wide variety of
devices, which it does using a 7" touchscreen display and the GUI
developed by James Ferguson.
This tutorial is being developed using my personal machine running a
basic configuration of Linux Mint version 20.2 and a Raspberry Pi 3
Model B running a basic configuration of Raspberry Pi OS Desktop. Both
of these Linux distributions are based on Debian so the steps between
them will be identicle in most cases. In fact, any Debian based
distribution should be usable for following this tutorial. Since the
focus is on implementing a GUI using a Raspberry Pi, the majority of
the content will be showing development of the GUI on Raspberry Pi OS
Desktop. I will be using Linux Mint to develop the tutorial content out
of comfort since it is running on my own laptop and to illustrate that
this tutorial can be used for other distributions.
1. Raspberry Pi OS Desktop Setup