Question 1

How do I set up Sokol for a simple OpenGL project on Windows?

Accepted Answer

Include sokol_app.h for window creation and sokol_gfx.h for rendering, then follow the triangle example in the README: initialize with sokol_main, set up graphics context, and handle callbacks. Ensure you link against OpenGL libraries and use the provided glue code for context management.

Question 2

Sokol vs Raylib: which one should I choose for a 2D game?

Accepted Answer

Sokol is more minimal and lower-level, giving you direct control over graphics and audio with cross-platform wrappers, while Raylib offers higher-level abstractions like built-in 2D shapes and input handling. Pick Sokol if you need lightweight customization, Raylib for faster prototyping with more features out of the box.

Question 3

Does Sokol support Vulkan?

Accepted Answer

No, sokol_gfx.h currently supports GL/GLES3/WebGL2, Metal, D3D11, and WebGPU, but not Vulkan. For Vulkan-specific projects, you might need to use other libraries or rely on WebGPU as a modern alternative included in Sokol.

Question 4

Can I use Sokol with modern C++ features like smart pointers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Sokol is written in C but fully compatible with C++. You can wrap Sokol APIs in C++ classes or use them directly, though you'll need to manage C-style memory and callbacks within your C++ code, as shown in the examples.

Question 5

What's the license for Sokol?

Accepted Answer

Sokol is open-source and typically distributed under a permissive license like MIT or similar. Check the GitHub repository for the specific LICENSE file to confirm terms, as it's common for STB-style projects to allow commercial use with attribution.

Question 6

How to handle audio playback with custom formats in Sokol?

Accepted Answer

Use sokol_audio.h with its callback or push models to stream 32-bit float samples. You'll need to decode audio files (e.g., using another library) and feed the raw data into Sokol, as it only handles buffer streaming without built-in format support.

Sokol Gfx

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