Windows & displaysSDL 3.2

SDL_CreateWindow

Opens a window. Flags choose how it can be drawn into (OpenGL, Vulkan…) and how it behaves.

Signature

SDL_Window * SDL_CreateWindow(const char *title, int w, int h, SDL_WindowFlags flags);

How it works

The window alone shows nothing: you still need something that draws into it. For 2D, create an SDL_Renderer for it (or use SDL_CreateWindowAndRenderer, which does both). For OpenGL add SDL_WINDOW_OPENGL and create a context; for Vulkan add SDL_WINDOW_VULKAN; SDL_GPU needs no flag.

Unlike SDL2 there are no x and y parameters: the system places the window. Move it afterwards with SDL_SetWindowPosition if you care.

Parameters

titleconst char *

Title bar text, UTF-8.

wint

Width in window coordinates (not always pixels: see SDL_GetWindowSizeInPixels).

hint

Height in window coordinates.

flagsSDL_WindowFlags

0, or flags combined with |.

Common values

SDL_WINDOW_RESIZABLE: The user can resize it.
SDL_WINDOW_HIGH_PIXEL_DENSITY: Ask for the full pixel resolution on Retina / high-DPI screens.
SDL_WINDOW_FULLSCREEN: Start in full screen (desktop resolution).
SDL_WINDOW_OPENGL / SDL_WINDOW_VULKAN: The window will be used with an OpenGL context / a Vulkan surface.
SDL_WINDOW_HIDDEN: Create it invisible; SDL_ShowWindow later.
SDL_WINDOW_BORDERLESS: No title bar or border.

Return value

The window, or NULL on failure (see SDL_GetError).

Tips & pitfalls

The size is a request: a tiling window manager or a small screen may give you another one. Handle any size.

Example

example.cpp

1SDL_Window* window = SDL_CreateWindow("Editor", 1280, 720,
2    SDL_WINDOW_RESIZABLE | SDL_WINDOW_HIGH_PIXEL_DENSITY);
3if (!window) {
4    SDL_Log("CreateWindow: %s", SDL_GetError());
5    return 1;
6}
7SDL_Renderer* renderer = SDL_CreateRenderer(window, nullptr);

Official SDL wiki