CppNorth, The Canadian C++ Conference 2025

The C++ programming language does not have a standard graphics library, However, there exists many popular graphics frameworks for cross-platform graphics. In this talk, I will provide an introduction to the Simple Directmedia Layer (SDL) library, which has at the start of 2025 released version 3. This library for several decades has been a standard in the games and graphics industry. Throughout this talk, I will show how to get started with the library, some more advanced examples (including compiling graphics applications to web), and then talk about what a standard graphics library could look like in C++, or if it is even necessary. I will also talk about the 3D GPU library in SDL3. Attendees will leave this talk ready to build multimedia / game applications and with an understanding on if SDL3 is the right tool for them.

Writing an emulator is truly transformative for any aspiring developer. In this session, we will be building parts of a lightning-fast Nintendo GameBoy (DMG-001) emulator library.
We will introduce the concept of a 'fast' emulator, highlighting its significance beyond mere gaming authenticity. After setting clear limits as to what we aim to achieve within the allotted time, we will delve into some foundational aspects of modern computing by implementing the core components of a GameBoy emulator.

Additionally, we will demonstrate how integrating modern high-level C++ constructs streamlines our codebase, enhancing both readability and performance. You will witness firsthand how these constructs simplify development and yield significant speed enhancements (even when applied to emulating low-level systems).

This session aims not only to provide practical insights into modern emulator construction but also to invite collaboration on future enhancements and optimizations.