Pros of raylib

• Simpler API and easier learning curve for beginners
• Built-in support for modern OpenGL and more advanced graphics features
• More active development and frequent updates

Cons of raylib

• Less mature and battle-tested compared to Allegro
• Smaller community and ecosystem of extensions/tools
• Limited support for older hardware and operating systems

Code Comparison

raylib example:

#include "raylib.h"

int main() {
    InitWindow(800, 450, "raylib example");
    while (!WindowShouldClose()) {
        BeginDrawing();
        ClearBackground(RAYWHITE);
        DrawText("Hello, raylib!", 190, 200, 20, LIGHTGRAY);
        EndDrawing();
    }
    CloseWindow();
    return 0;
}

Allegro 5 example:

#include <allegro5/allegro.h>
#include <allegro5/allegro_font.h>

int main() {
    al_init();
    al_init_font_addon();
    ALLEGRO_DISPLAY *display = al_create_display(800, 450);
    ALLEGRO_FONT *font = al_create_builtin_font();
    al_clear_to_color(al_map_rgb(255, 255, 255));
    al_draw_text(font, al_map_rgb(200, 200, 200), 190, 200, 0, "Hello, Allegro!");
    al_flip_display();
    al_rest(5.0);
    al_destroy_font(font);
    al_destroy_display(display);
    return 0;
}

Pros of SFML

• More modern C++ design with object-oriented approach
• Easier to use and learn, especially for beginners
• Better support for audio and networking features

Cons of SFML

• Less cross-platform support compared to Allegro
• Smaller community and fewer learning resources
• Limited support for 3D graphics

Code Comparison

SFML example:

#include <SFML/Graphics.hpp>

int main() {
    sf::RenderWindow window(sf::VideoMode(800, 600), "SFML Window");
    sf::CircleShape shape(100.f);
    shape.setFillColor(sf::Color::Green);
    
    while (window.isOpen()) {
        sf::Event event;
        while (window.pollEvent(event)) {
            if (event.type == sf::Event::Closed)
                window.close();
        }
        
        window.clear();
        window.draw(shape);
        window.display();
    }
    return 0;
}

Allegro example:

#include <allegro5/allegro.h>
#include <allegro5/allegro_primitives.h>

int main() {
    al_init();
    al_init_primitives_addon();
    ALLEGRO_DISPLAY *display = al_create_display(800, 600);
    
    while (1) {
        al_clear_to_color(al_map_rgb(0, 0, 0));
        al_draw_filled_circle(400, 300, 100, al_map_rgb(0, 255, 0));
        al_flip_display();
    }
    
    al_destroy_display(display);
    return 0;
}

Pros of SDL

• Wider platform support, including mobile and web platforms
• More extensive documentation and community resources
• Better support for modern graphics APIs like Vulkan and Metal

Cons of SDL

• Steeper learning curve for beginners
• Less integrated approach to game development (requires additional libraries for some features)
• Slightly more complex API for certain tasks

Code Comparison

SDL:

SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_VIDEO);
SDL_Window* window = SDL_CreateWindow("SDL Window", SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED, SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED, 640, 480, 0);
SDL_Renderer* renderer = SDL_CreateRenderer(window, -1, SDL_RENDERER_ACCELERATED);
SDL_RenderClear(renderer);
SDL_RenderPresent(renderer);

Allegro 5:

al_init();
al_create_display(640, 480);
al_clear_to_color(al_map_rgb(0, 0, 0));
al_flip_display();

Both SDL and Allegro 5 are popular multimedia libraries for game development and multimedia applications. SDL offers broader platform support and more extensive documentation, making it suitable for larger projects and cross-platform development. Allegro 5, on the other hand, provides a more integrated approach and simpler API, which can be beneficial for beginners and smaller projects. The code comparison shows that Allegro 5 requires fewer lines of code for basic window creation and rendering, while SDL offers more fine-grained control over the rendering process.

Pros of ImGui

• Lightweight and easy to integrate into existing projects
• Immediate mode GUI, allowing for dynamic and flexible interfaces
• Extensive documentation and examples

Cons of ImGui

• Limited to basic UI elements, lacking advanced widgets
• Requires more manual layout management compared to Allegro's GUI system
• Less suitable for complex, full-featured applications

Code Comparison

ImGui example:

ImGui::Begin("My Window");
if (ImGui::Button("Click me!"))
    doSomething();
ImGui::End();

Allegro 5 example:

ALLEGRO_EVENT_QUEUE *queue = al_create_event_queue();
al_register_event_source(queue, al_get_display_event_source(display));
al_wait_for_event(queue, &event);
if (event.type == ALLEGRO_EVENT_MOUSE_BUTTON_DOWN)
    doSomething();

ImGui focuses on immediate mode GUI creation, while Allegro 5 provides a more traditional event-driven approach. ImGui's code is more concise for UI elements, but Allegro 5 offers a broader range of functionality beyond just GUI, including graphics, audio, and input handling.

Pros of Cinder

• More modern C++ design with extensive use of templates and STL
• Stronger focus on creative coding and multimedia applications
• Better integration with native OS features and hardware acceleration

Cons of Cinder

• Steeper learning curve for beginners due to advanced C++ concepts
• Less cross-platform compatibility compared to Allegro5
• Smaller community and fewer learning resources available

Code Comparison

Cinder example (drawing a circle):

#include "cinder/app/App.h"
#include "cinder/app/RendererGl.h"
#include "cinder/gl/gl.h"

class BasicApp : public ci::app::App {
public:
    void draw() override {
        ci::gl::clear();
        ci::gl::drawSolidCircle(getWindowCenter(), 100);
    }
};

CINDER_APP(BasicApp, ci::app::RendererGl)

Allegro5 example (drawing a circle):

#include <allegro5/allegro.h>
#include <allegro5/allegro_primitives.h>

int main() {
    al_init();
    al_init_primitives_addon();
    ALLEGRO_DISPLAY *display = al_create_display(800, 600);
    al_clear_to_color(al_map_rgb(0, 0, 0));
    al_draw_filled_circle(400, 300, 100, al_map_rgb(255, 255, 255));
    al_flip_display();
    al_rest(5.0);
    return 0;
}