The Old Graphics Library
The graphics.h
library is a graphics library that was commonly used in older versions of the C programming language. It provides a simple way to perform graphical operations like drawing shapes, lines, and text on a computer screen. Here are some key points about the graphics.h
library:
- Bundled with Borland Compilers:
graphics.h
was primarily associated with Borland compilers like Turbo C and Borland C++, which were popular in the 1980s and 1990s. It was bundled with these compilers and provided an easy-to-use interface for creating graphical applications. - DOS Environment: It was designed to work in the MS-DOS environment, where programs could directly access hardware and memory. This made it efficient for drawing graphics on the screen without needing complex operating system support.
- Simple Interface: The library provided simple functions for drawing basic shapes like lines, circles, rectangles, and polygons. It also included functions for setting colors, filling shapes, and handling mouse and keyboard input.
- Not Standardized:
graphics.h
was not part of the standard C library, so its usage was limited to specific compilers and platforms. Different implementations existed for different compilers, and code written usinggraphics.h
was not portable across different systems. - Limited Support: As graphical environments evolved,
graphics.h
became outdated and less commonly used. Modern operating systems like Windows, Linux, and macOS do not provide native support forgraphics.h
, making it incompatible with newer development environments. - Alternatives: With the decline of
graphics.h
, developers moved towards using more modern and portable graphics libraries like OpenGL, DirectX, SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer), and libraries based on GUI frameworks like Qt and GTK+.
Despite its limitations and obsolescence in modern computing, graphics.h
holds nostalgic value for many programmers who started their journey in computer graphics during the era of DOS-based programming. It played a significant role in introducing many beginners to the world of graphics programming.