SDL/docs/README-winrt.md

WinRT

SDL/WinRT layer allows SDL2-based applications to run on many of Microsoft's platforms that utilize the "Windows Runtime" (aka "WinRT") APIs. WinRT apps are currently always full-screen apps, run in what Microsoft calls their "Modern" environment (aka. "Metro"), and are distributed via Microsoft-run online stores. Some of the operating systems that support such apps include:

• Windows 8.x
• Windows RT 8.x (aka. Windows 8.x for ARM processors)
• Windows Phone 8.x

To note, WinRT applications that run on Windows 8.x and/or Windows RT are often called "Windows Store" apps.

Requirements

• Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 -- Free, "Express" editions may be used, so long as they include support for either "Windows Store" or "Windows Phone" apps. (NOTE: MSVC 2013 support is pending. 2012 projects may be converted to 2013 projects by MSVC, in the meantime.)
• A valid Microsoft account -- This requirement is not imposed by SDL, but rather by Microsoft's Visual C++ toolchain. This is required to debug apps.

TODO

• Finish adding support for MSVC 2013, and "Universal" WinRT apps, which support Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, and in the future, Xbox One and Windows Desktop.
• Finish adding support for the SDL satellite libraries (SDL_image, SDL_mixer, SDL_ttf, etc.)
• Create templates for both MSVC 2012 and MSVC 2013, and have the corresponding VSIX packages either include pre-built copies of SDL, or reference binaries available via MSVC's NuGet servers
• Write setup instructions that use MSVC 201x templates
• Write setup instructions that don't use MSVC 201x templates, and use MSVC project-to-project references, rather than pre-built binaries
• Write a list of caveats found in SDL/WinRT, such as APIs that don't work due to platform restrictions, or things that need further work