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