C++ development?

[KentuckyFriedKermit]

Hi there,

I've been lurking now and again over the past few years, and thought it's about time I should have a play around with some Saturn development.

I'm sure I've read before that you can write in C++, but all the sample code I've seen is written in C.

Does any one have any C++ documentation or example code? Is it even possible to write in C++ or should I try my hand at C?

Also, which is the best SDK to be using these days? Orbit? Red Ring Rico's new SDK?

Thanks and keep up the great work you guys are doing! :-D

 

[Red Ring Rico]

Traditionally (and even SEGA points it out in the documentation) C++ is avoided due to it's inherent overhead when dealing with things like classes derived from pure abstract classes, for instance. Of course, the only real way to test this is to write code and see how large of a performance difference there is. The STL may add a lot of overhead, but you can always re-write your own more suitable versions for the Saturn. I'd recommend writing as many tests as you can imagine, time them against their C equivalents (if there are any), then post your findings.

As for the development environment; the SDK I'm working on is still being developed, though the compilers for C++ and C are there. I haven't attempted writing in C++ for the Saturn, yet, so there may be things missing. There hasn't been any major attempt on my part to support C++ at this stage. One huge thing missing with mine is any kind of Saturn-specific libraries, i.e. interacting with the VDPs or SMPC chips. SaturnOrbit uses an older version of GCC (about ten years old at this point), though it comes with everything you'll need, out-of-the-box, for Saturn development.

 

[mrkotfw]

The question that I pose is why do you need to use C++? What are the benefits to using C++?

 

[antime]

Better type system, classes, namespaces, templates, lambdas, constexpr and so on.