[eXpl0it3r]

As maintainer I won't be able to give you an unbiased response. The biggest difference is, that SFML is a C++ library.

What motivates me to work on SFML is, that we're building something separate from SDL. I don't think, we - as in the general developer world - do anyone a favor in consolidating everything into one library (why use X, when Y does the same?). Additionally, I think it's a very interesting "field" of trying to provide a common API across different OS; and sadly it seems to be an area where few resources exist and fewer developer actually understand it, as "everyone" just uses SDL. Finally, I really like the open and welcoming community we've built over the years and at the same time, I'm happy we're not getting as much attention/pressure as SDL.

[leecommamichael]

I appreciate the response. I've actually got my own platform-layer which can be a bit like SDL/SFML in shape at times, so I totally understand the desire to work on that kind of problem. I'm good with different competing solutions in similar spaces, as well. I don't think one library to rule them all is necessarily a good idea.

Lately I've been doing the experiment of just forgoing the library entirely for this kind of code. It's a bit like gradually building up my own SDL/SFML directly in-place. I'm sure people would find that wasteful or odd, but I enjoy learning the differences in the platforms, and being better positioned to integrate with a particular platform. I'm also shipping way less code. Although admittedly I'm not sure if I'd do this if I were a C++ dev, I write Odin and part of the experiment is putting Odin through its paces and seeing how well it fits in this part of the stack (very happy so far.)