cannot find -lSDLmain

[avinash89]

This is the error i am receiving compiling my code. I am using DEV C++. Here is the list of the parameters which i have used.

" -lmingw32 -ISDL -lSDLmain -mwindows -lSDL_mixer -lopengl32 -lglu32 -sdl_Mixer "
This is what the main looks like.

#include <stdio.h>
#include "Game.h"

     
int main(int argc, char **argv) {
  Game pacman_game=Game();
  if(pacman_game.initialize()) {
    while(pacman_game.update()) {
      pacman_game.draw();

   }
  }
  else 
    printf("Couldn't initialize game.");
}

I have been on this issue for a couple of hours! Searched a lot in google to no avail. Please help! I am running Windows Vista. DEV C++ 4.9.9.2 version.

[R0mai]

try compiling with
<...> -lmingw32 -lSDLmain -ISDL <...>

[Duthomhas]

Make sure you followed the instructions here:
http://lazyfoo.net/SDL_tutorials/lesson01/windows/devcpp/index.php

Part of the setup is to place the SDL library files (*.a *.lib) in your MinGW's lib directory.

Good luck!

[avinash89]

Thanks Duoas. The link that you provided me with helped me get rid of the "cannot find -lSDLmain" error. Unfortunately now its showing another error which has equally stumped me.

It reads

[Linker error] undefined reference to `WinMain@16'
ld returned 1 exit status 
C:\blahblah\Makefile.win [Build Error]  [pacman.exe] Error 1  

Once again thank you for your timely response. :) I hope you can help me out on this one.

[R0mai]

Wild guess:
You don't define main() as
int main(int argc, char **argv) { ... }

[Duthomhas]

Yes, SDL applications require you to declare main() exactly as R0mai indicated.

That's because SDL wants to initialize itself and does so by declaring main() elsewhere in the application, and #defining "main" to a new name that SDL's main() calls...

(I personally think this is a terrible way to initialize, but that makes no difference...)

[avinash89]

Thank you everyone. Its finally working now.

The fix to the second issue was as rightly pointed out by Duoas was with the main()

I have added the following code before the main declaration.

#undef main

[Duthomhas]

Why don't you just declare main the way R0mai suggested?

#include "SDL.h"

int main( int argc, char **argv )
  {
  // My cool SDL app here
  return 0;
  }

[helios]

I really wish SDL used a better method for initialization than #defining main.