Multiple Windows with Same Title
What happens if I create multiple windows with the same title? Will this cause any problems?
Creating multiple windows with the same title is perfectly valid in SDL and won't cause any technical problems. Each window is a distinct object with its own memory and resources, regardless of its title.
Let's see this in action:
#include <SDL.h>
int main() {
SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_VIDEO);
// Create three windows with the same title
SDL_Window* WindowA{SDL_CreateWindow(
"Same Title",
100, 100, 400, 300,
SDL_WINDOW_SHOWN
)};
SDL_Window* WindowB{SDL_CreateWindow(
"Same Title",
200, 200, 400, 300,
SDL_WINDOW_SHOWN
)};
SDL_Window* WindowC{SDL_CreateWindow(
"Same Title",
300, 300, 400, 300,
SDL_WINDOW_SHOWN
)};
// We can work with each window individually
SDL_SetWindowPosition(WindowB, 500, 200);
// Always clean up
SDL_DestroyWindow(WindowA);
SDL_DestroyWindow(WindowB);
SDL_DestroyWindow(WindowC);
SDL_Quit();
return 0;
}However, there are some practical considerations to keep in mind:
User Experience
- Users might have trouble distinguishing between windows
- Most operating systems will add a number or identifier to duplicate titles
- It might be confusing when Alt-Tabbing between windows
Window Management
- When handling window events, you'll need to check the window ID to know which window triggered the event
- It's generally better to give windows unique, descriptive titles that help users understand their purpose
Here's how to handle events for multiple windows:
#include <SDL.h>
#include <iostream>
int main() {
SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_VIDEO);
SDL_Window* WindowA{
SDL_CreateWindow(
"Same Title",
100, 100, 400, 300,
SDL_WINDOW_SHOWN
)};
SDL_Window* WindowB{
SDL_CreateWindow(
"Same Title",
200, 200, 400, 300,
SDL_WINDOW_SHOWN
)};
SDL_Event E;
bool Running{true};
while (Running) {
while (SDL_PollEvent(&E)) {
if (E.type == SDL_WINDOWEVENT) {
// Check which window triggered the event
if (E.window.windowID ==
SDL_GetWindowID(WindowA)) {
std::cout << "Event on Window A\n";
} else if (E.window.windowID ==
SDL_GetWindowID(WindowB)) {
std::cout << "Event on Window B\n";
}
}
}
}
SDL_DestroyWindow(WindowA);
SDL_DestroyWindow(WindowB);
SDL_Quit();
return 0;
}Window Configuration
Explore window creation, configuration, and event handling using SDL's windowing system