Anything I should know about SDL before I start using it?

[zapakitul]

The romanian Game Dev community has started a new contest. Theme is: Scrolling SHUMP, eighter 2D or 3D. I could actually do this very easy using DarkGDK, an library with which I am quite used to, and that I used to develop most of my projects. Thing is, I'm using it for like 2 years, and I want to try something new, and more powerful[yes, more complex that is]. I was thinking of choosing SDL hence I herd allot of good stuff about it. What do you guys think? Is this a good decision? And is there anything I should know 'bout SDL? Any suggestions, hints?

[Moosader]

How long does the contest last? And, do you know any C++?
(I don't know if DarkGDK is with C++ or what)

[Netwatcher]

Don't cross the streams
It is not a good source of fibers

I haven't tried it yet but SDL looks very intuitive and easy.(to learn, hard to master)
DarkGDK is, in fact, a Game Engine! not a library like SDL so things might be a little new for you at the beginning.

[Moosader]

So apparently it does use C++ with it (I just looked it up). So assuming you're familiar with yer basics (Functions, classes, inheritance, pointers), SDL or Allegro shouldn't be terribly hard.
I have a tutorial covering both, that are half-way done (going to finish once I'm off vacation), and the next set of videos is how to make a SHMUP. I don't know when that'll get done, though.

Episode 1 playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... 6F495BD17E
(Or with Vimeo x_x): http://vimeo.com/album/109198
^ But it covers the basics of what you need to know to display graphics, play sound, get input, etc. etc.

[zapakitul]

I'm quite good with C++, did a couple of big projects for some companies in my town. Got SDL up and running. First thing I noticed is that I have to do my own functions, which really rocks my socks. I could do like a wrapper for it, and use it later one, which really pawns. Think I'm gonna enter the contest with a game written using SDL.