/grok_raylib_raygui_auto_reload_c

Primary LanguageC

grok raylib raygui auto reload c

LICENSE: MIT

required:

  • CMake
  • toolchain / compiler (vs2022 tested windows 10 64bit)

features:

  • RayLib 5.5
  • Hot Reload
  • RayGUI
  • C language

Innformation:

With the help of Grok Beta 3 limited time. Able to learn how to proper set up cmake build to run raylib correct setup.

Please note this use c language.

Added notes in the files from the Grok AI.

This has simple counter if game.dll has change to update counter.

This auto reload once detect change for game.dll time stamp.

Build:

command line on the current project folder dir.

mkdir build
cd build

cmake ..

cmake --build . --config Debug

build/Debug/RaylibExample.exe
  • Note it will create game.dll copy to store application for next compile game.dll in case of conflict.

rebuild game.dll:

cmake --build . --target game --config Debug

Run and Reload:

  • Edit game.c multiple times (e.g., "Toggle Color" to "Switch Color", then "Change Color").

Grok 3:

How It Works:

  • CheckDLLUpdate monitors game.dll every 500ms, triggering a close-reload-reopen cycle on change.
  • Temp files ensure game.dll is free for rebuilds, tracked in tempDllPaths, and deleted by CleanupTempDLLs
  • RayGUI button toggles color, reflecting updates post-reload.

Overview:

  • Purpose: Automatically hot reloads game.dll (Raylib 5.5 + RayGUI 4.0) when rebuilt, displays a reload count in the window, and cleans up unlimited temp DLL files on exit using a dynamic array.
  • Key Mechanism: Monitors game.dll’s timestamp every 500ms, closes and reopens the window with a new temp-loaded DLL on change, increments a reload counter, and deletes all temp files on exit.

File Roles:

  • CMakeLists.txt: Configures the build, fetching Raylib 5.5 and RayGUI 4.0, producing RaylibExample.exe and game.dll.
  • game.h: Defines the DLL interface, updated UpdateAndDraw to take reloadCount.
  • game.c: Implements the DLL, drawing a toggle button and reload count with RayGUI.
  • main.c: Loads game.dll, runs the window loop, auto-reloads with a reload counter, and cleans up temp files.

Auto-Reload Process:

  • Initial Load: Copies game.dll to a temp file (e.g., game_temp_12345.dll), loads it into dllHandle, stores the path in tempDllPaths, and initializes the window.
  • Main Loop: Draws the GUI via UpdateAndDrawPtr every frame, passing reloadCount.
  • Timestamp Check: Every 500ms, CheckDLLUpdate compares game.dll’s timestamp to lastWriteTime.
  • Reload Trigger: On change, closes the window, reloads game.dll into a new temp file (added to tempDllPaths), increments reloadCount, reinitializes the window, and resumes drawing.
  • Cleanup: On exit, CleanupTempDLLs deletes all temp files tracked in tempDllPaths and frees the dynamic array.

Key Features:

  • Automatic Reload: Updates game.dll when rebuilt, triggered by timestamp changes every 500ms.
  • Reload Counter: reloadCount tracks reloads, displayed in the window via UpdateAndDraw.
  • Dynamic Temp Files: tempDllPaths grows dynamically (doubling from 2), cleaned up on exit.
  • RayGUI: Button toggles color, reloads with new text (e.g., "Switch Color").
  • Stability: Closing/reopening with Sleep(200) keeps Raylib’s state intact.

Reload Counter Notes:

  • Tracking: reloadCount increments each reload, starting at 0 (initial load), passed to UpdateAndDraw.
  • Display: Rendered as "Reloads: X" in the top-left corner, updated live.

Refs: