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digitalmars.D.learn - How to setup D with SFML? (using bindbc-sfml)

reply Ki Rill <rill.ki yahoo.com> writes:
How do I set up a D and SFML project using the `bindbc-sfml` 
package?

I tried following the instructions, it builds successfully, but 
fails to load the SFML library at runtime.

In particular, `loadSFML, loadSFMLGraphics, loadSFMLXXX` fails. 
Here is [link](https://github.com/rillki/d-sfml-project-template) 
to the repo. I plan to create another how-to video, but I cannot 
find what's causing it to fail.

Do you have any ideas?
Apr 08 2023
next sibling parent reply Mike Parker <aldacron gmail.com> writes:
On Saturday, 8 April 2023 at 11:31:40 UTC, Ki Rill wrote:

 How do I set up a D and SFML project using the `bindbc-sfml` 
 package?

 I tried following the instructions, it builds successfully, but 
 fails to load the SFML library at runtime.

 In particular, `loadSFML, loadSFMLGraphics, loadSFMLXXX` fails. 
 Here is 
 [link](https://github.com/rillki/d-sfml-project-template) to 
 the repo. I plan to create another how-to video, but I cannot 
 find what's causing it to fail.

 Do you have any ideas?


Not without error messages. The first thing you should do is use 
the error API in bindbc.loader to print them out. That should 
tell you what the problem is.
Apr 08 2023
next sibling parent Salih Dincer <salihdb hotmail.com> writes:
On Saturday, 8 April 2023 at 23:40:32 UTC, Mike Parker wrote:

 Not without error messages. The first thing you should do is 
 use the error API in bindbc.loader to print them out. That 
 should tell you what the problem is.


I installed it on my Linux system without using a loader and with 
static SFML. I just used apt-get and dub. I did the following in 
order:

1. sudo apt-get install libsfml-dev libcsfml-dev
2. dub init dsfml bindbc-sfml
3. cd dsfml
4. edit dub.json and add:
```java
   "libs": [
		"csfml-audio",
		"csfml-graphics"
	],
   "subConfigurations": {
		"bindbc-sfml": "staticBC"
	},
   "versions": [
		"SFML_Audio",
		"SFML_Graphics"
	],
```
5. dub

**app.d**
```d
import bindbc.sfml;

void main()
{
   sfContextSettings* settings;
   sfEvent event;

   auto window = sfRenderWindow_create(
     sfVideoMode(750, 500),
     "Japanese Flag",
     sfWindowStyle.sfDefaultStyle,
     settings
   );

   auto flag = sfCircleShape_create();
        flag.sfCircleShape_setRadius(150);
        flag.sfCircleShape_setPosition(sfVector2f(225, 100));
        flag.sfCircleShape_setFillColor(sfRed);

   while(window.sfRenderWindow_isOpen())
   {
     while(window.sfRenderWindow_pollEvent(&event))
     {
       if(event.type == sfEventType.sfEvtClosed)
       {
         window.sfRenderWindow_close();
       }
     }

     window.sfRenderWindow_clear(sfWhite);
     window.sfRenderWindow_drawCircleShape(flag, null);
     window.sfRenderWindow_display();
   }
}
```

SDB 79
Apr 08 2023
prev sibling parent reply Ki Rill <rill.ki yahoo.com> writes:
On Saturday, 8 April 2023 at 23:40:32 UTC, Mike Parker wrote:

 On Saturday, 8 April 2023 at 11:31:40 UTC, Ki Rill wrote:

 How do I set up a D and SFML project using the `bindbc-sfml` 
 package?

 I tried following the instructions, it builds successfully, 
 but fails to load the SFML library at runtime.

 In particular, `loadSFML, loadSFMLGraphics, loadSFMLXXX` 
 fails. Here is 
 [link](https://github.com/rillki/d-sfml-project-template) to 
 the repo. I plan to create another how-to video, but I cannot 
 find what's causing it to fail.

 Do you have any ideas?


 Not without error messages. The first thing you should do is 
 use the error API in bindbc.loader to print them out. That 
 should tell you what the problem is.


I forgot about that). Here are the errors that occur on Windows:
```
csfml-system.dll, The specified module could not be found.
csfml-audio.dll, The specified module could not be found.
csfml-audio-2.dll, The specified module could not be found.
csfml-audio-2.0.dll, The specified module could not be found.
```

Why can't it find these libraries? I tell where to look for them:
```D
version(Windows) {
     import bindbc.loader;
     setCustomLoaderSearchPath("libs"); // tried using absolute 
path as well
}
```

That is strange...
Apr 09 2023
parent reply Mike Parker <aldacron gmail.com> writes:
On Sunday, 9 April 2023 at 09:54:26 UTC, Ki Rill wrote:


 Why can't it find these libraries? I tell where to look for 
 them:
 ```D
 version(Windows) {
     import bindbc.loader;
     setCustomLoaderSearchPath("libs"); // tried using absolute 
 path as well
 }
 ```

 That is strange...


I've tried your project out two ways, one that succeeds and one 
that fails. I'm guessing you've put your 'libs' directory is 
'bin/libs'. Am I right? If so, then the following should help you.

When dub runs the exectuable, it sets the current working 
directory to the project's root directory by default. 
`setCustomLoaderPath` passes whatever you give it directly to the 
system API unmodified. You've passed a relative path. By default, 
the system API associates relative paths with the current working 
directory.

So given a project root directory of `$ROOT`, and your executable 
in `$ROOT/bin`, the system is looking for the libraries in 
`$ROOT/libs` and *not* in `$ROOT/bin/libs`. If the libs are in 
the former, everything loads. If they're in the latter, then it's 
going to fail.

If you cd into `bin` and run the executable manually, then libs 
in `$ROOT/bin/libs` will load, as your current working directory 
is `bin`.

The quick fix for this is to add `"workingDirectory" : "bin"` to 
your dub.json. Then your relative paths will be relative to 
`$ROOT/bin/`.

Bear in mind that when using relative paths like this, any file 
reading is bound to break if someone runs your executable from 
outside its directory. You can test this by going into `$ROOT` 
from the command line and executing 
`bin/d-sfml-project-template`. Then you'll be doing the same 
thing dub does, i.e., your working directory will be `$ROOT`.

The way to guarantee your relative paths are always relative to 
the executable are to either set the current working directory to 
the executable's path, or to prepend all relative paths with the 
executable's path before handing them off to the system.

There are two ways you can get the full path to the executable in 
Phobos/DRuntime: via `std.file.thisExePath`, or 
`core.runtime.Runtime.args[0]`. (The former is failing to compile 
for me on Windows right now due to a bug in the Phobos Win32 API 
bindings. I'll look into it.)

Strip the file name from the returned path, then you can use it 
as required.
Apr 09 2023
parent reply Ki Rill <rill.ki yahoo.com> writes:
On Sunday, 9 April 2023 at 14:20:30 UTC, Mike Parker wrote:

 I've tried your project out two ways, one that succeeds and one 
 that fails. I'm guessing you've put your 'libs' directory is 
 'bin/libs'. Am I right? If so, then the following should help 
 you.


Well, `bin/` and `libs/` are in the same directory.


 When dub runs the exectuable, it sets the current working 
 directory to the project's root directory by default. 
 `setCustomLoaderPath` passes whatever you give it directly to 
 the system API unmodified. You've passed a relative path. By 
 default, the system API associates relative paths with the 
 current working directory.

 So given a project root directory of `$ROOT`, and your 
 executable in `$ROOT/bin`, the system is looking for the 
 libraries in `$ROOT/libs` and *not* in `$ROOT/bin/libs`. If the 
 libs are in the former, everything loads. If they're in the 
 latter, then it's going to fail.

 If you cd into `bin` and run the executable manually, then libs 
 in `$ROOT/bin/libs` will load, as your current working 
 directory is `bin`.

 The quick fix for this is to add `"workingDirectory" : "bin"` 
 to your dub.json. Then your relative paths will be relative to 
 `$ROOT/bin/`.


I tried `bin/libs/` as well as you describe here. It did not work.

---

Actually, it is quite strange that it fails to load the 
[CSFML](https://www.sfml-dev.org/download/csfml/) library dlls in 
`libs/` (I download CSFML2.5) since that is what I do with 
[GLFW/OpenGL](https://github.com/rillki/d-glfw-opengl-project-template) example
as well for Windows 10.

**Even this fails: `loadSFMLGraphics("libs/csfml-graphics.dll")`**

I have the following structure:
```
- bin/
- libs/
- source/
- dub.json
- dub.selections.json
```

My `dub.json`:
```Json
{
	"authors": [
		"rillki"
	],
	"copyright": "Copyright © 2023, rillki",
	"dependencies": {
		"bindbc-sfml": "~>1.0.2"
	},
	"description": "D/SFML project template",
	"license": "BSL",
	"name": "d-sfml-project-template",
	"targetPath": "bin",
	"versions": [
		"SFML_Audio",
		"SFML_Graphics",
		"SFML_Network",
		"SFML_System",
		"SFML_Window",
		"SFML_250"
	]
}
```

My `source/app.d`:
```d
module app;

import std.stdio: writeln;
import bindbc.sfml;

void main() {
     version(Windows) {
         import bindbc.loader;
         setCustomLoaderSearchPath("libs");
     }

     // attempt at loading sfml
     if(!loadSFML()) {
         writeln("Failed to load SFML library!");
         return;
     }

     // window dimensions
     enum width = 720;
     enum height = 480;
     enum title = "D/SFML project";

     // create window
     auto window = sfWindow_create(sfVideoMode(width, height), 
title.toStringz, sfWindowStyle.sfDefaultStyle, null);
     scope(exit) { sfWindow_destroy(window); }

     while(sfWindow_isOpen(window)) {
         // process events
         sfEvent event;
         while(sfWindow_pollEvent(window, &event)) {
             if(event.type == sfEventType.sfEvtClosed) {
                 sfWindow_close(window);
             }
         }

         // ...
     }
}

```

I will try to make it work... Meanwhile, if someones spots what I 
am doing wrong, please reply to this post.
Apr 11 2023
parent reply Salih Dincer <salihdb hotmail.com> writes:
On Tuesday, 11 April 2023 at 10:24:09 UTC, Ki Rill wrote:

 My `dub.json`:
 ```Json
 {
 	"authors": [
 		"rillki"
 	],
 	"copyright": "Copyright © 2023, rillki",
 	"dependencies": {
 		"bindbc-sfml": "~>1.0.2"
 	},
 	"description": "D/SFML project template",
 	"license": "BSL",
 	"name": "d-sfml-project-template",
 	"targetPath": "bin",
 	"versions": [
 		"SFML_Audio",
 		"SFML_Graphics",
 		"SFML_Network",
 		"SFML_System",
 		"SFML_Window",
 		"SFML_250"
 	]
 }
 ```

 I will try to make it work... Meanwhile, if someones spots what 
 I am doing wrong, please reply to this post.


If I use your dub.json, my terminal screen says:


 user debian:~/Downloads$ cd dsfml
 user debian:~/Downloads/dsfml$ dub
     Fetching bindbc-sfml 1.0.2 (getting selected version)
      Fetching bindbc-loader 1.0.3 (getting selected version)
      Starting Performing "debug" build using /usr/bin/dmd for 
 x86_64.
      Building bindbc-loader 1.0.3: building configuration [noBC]
      Building bindbc-sfml 1.0.2: building configuration 
 [dynamic]
      Building d-sfml-project-template ~master: building 
 configuration [application]
       Linking d-sfml-project-template
       Running bin/d-sfml-project-template
 Error Program exited with code -11


If I add "BindSFML_Static" to the DUB's version directive, I 
switch to static, which I guess you don't want. But then I also 
get a bunch of undefined errors:


 /usr/bin/ld: 
 /home/user/.dub/cache/d-sfml-project-template/~master/build/application-debug-TGcRCxHHanKq_MbfWLee8g/d-sfml
project-template.o: in function `_Dmain':
 /home/user/Downloads/dsfml/source/app.d:11: undefined reference 
 to `sfRenderWindow_create'
 ...
 collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status
 Error: linker exited with status 1
 Error /usr/bin/dmd failed with exit code 1.


If you wanted static I would add and run libraries easy, like 
this:
```Json
	"libs": [
		"csfml-audio",
		"csfml-graphics"
	],
	"versions": [
		"SFML_Audio",
		"SFML_Graphics",
		"BindSFML_Static",
	]
}
```
In summary, DUB takes care of everything for us. It should be 
same in W$...

SDB 79
Apr 12 2023
parent reply Ki Rill <rill.ki yahoo.com> writes:
On Wednesday, 12 April 2023 at 10:05:14 UTC, Salih Dincer wrote:

 On Tuesday, 11 April 2023 at 10:24:09 UTC, Ki Rill wrote:
 If you wanted static I would add and run libraries easy, like 
 this:
 ```Json
 	"libs": [
 		"csfml-audio",
 		"csfml-graphics"
 	],
 	"versions": [
 		"SFML_Audio",
 		"SFML_Graphics",
 		"BindSFML_Static",
 	]
 }
 ```
 In summary, DUB takes care of everything for us. It should be 
 same in W$...

 SDB 79


I tried static. It did not work. Now it gives me this error:
```
LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file 'libucrt.lib'
Error: linker exited with status 1104
```

Why does it require this library and where can I find it?
Apr 13 2023
parent reply Salih Dincer <salihdb hotmail.com> writes:
On Friday, 14 April 2023 at 00:28:53 UTC, Ki Rill wrote:

 ```
 LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file 'libucrt.lib'
 Error: linker exited with status 1104
 ```

 Why does it require this library and where can I find it?


Since this library is a component of the Microsoft C Runtime 
(CRT) library, you may need to install this library.

To install the CRT library, follow these steps:

* Download and install the latest version of Microsoft Visual 
Studio.
* In the Visual Studio installer, install the "C++ Universal CRT" 
component under "Workloads > Desktop development with C++".
* Restart the build and check if the error is resolved.

**Source:** 
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44763817/link-fatal-error-lnk1104-cannot-open-file-ucrt-lib

SDB 79
Apr 13 2023
parent reply Ki Rill <rill.ki yahoo.com> writes:
On Friday, 14 April 2023 at 02:33:18 UTC, Salih Dincer wrote:

 On Friday, 14 April 2023 at 00:28:53 UTC, Ki Rill wrote:

 ```
 LINK : fatal error LNK1104: cannot open file 'libucrt.lib'
 Error: linker exited with status 1104
 ```

 Why does it require this library and where can I find it?


 Since this library is a component of the Microsoft C Runtime 
 (CRT) library, you may need to install this library.

 To install the CRT library, follow these steps:

 * Download and install the latest version of Microsoft Visual 
 Studio.
 * In the Visual Studio installer, install the "C++ Universal 
 CRT" component under "Workloads > Desktop development with C++".
 * Restart the build and check if the error is resolved.

 **Source:** 
 https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44763817/link-fatal-error-lnk1104-cannot-open-file-ucrt-lib

 SDB 79


Yay! That worked! Now I have a working example. Though it's 
strange that it does not work with shared libs.
Apr 14 2023
parent Salih Dincer <salihdb hotmail.com> writes:
On Friday, 14 April 2023 at 12:26:25 UTC, Ki Rill wrote:

 Yay! That worked! Now I have a working example. Though it's 
 strange that it does not work with shared libs.


Good luck, I'm really happy for you...

Ki Rill, wait a minute!  Actually, i've been  very happy for the 
D community.  Because I really appreciate what you've done.  You 
are an idealistic person and please stay that way.  We can do 
more things.

SDB 79
Apr 14 2023
prev sibling parent reply "Richard (Rikki) Andrew Cattermole" <richard cattermole.co.nz> writes:
I have to ask this since nothing else has worked and the dll's on the 
site don't depend on a MSVC dll:

What are you compiling your program as? 32bit/64bit x86? ARM?

Which DLL's are you downloading? 32bit, 64bit?
Apr 11 2023
parent Ki Rill <rill.ki yahoo.com> writes:
On Tuesday, 11 April 2023 at 11:55:50 UTC, Richard (Rikki) Andrew 
Cattermole wrote:

 I have to ask this since nothing else has worked and the dll's 
 on the site don't depend on a MSVC dll:

 What are you compiling your program as? 32bit/64bit x86? ARM?

 Which DLL's are you downloading? 32bit, 64bit?


I uses the default settings. DUB should compile my project as 
64bit on Windows 10. The bindings I downloaded are also 64bit. 
The links mentioned in my previous post is what I use.
Apr 11 2023