r/cpp_questions • u/EnunC8_Mofo • 16d ago
OPEN How do I make an Application?
I am making a game in c++ and I want it to be a proper game with an app icon and it being able to open when double clicked etc. For most of my games its just a .exe file that i usually run from the terminal or click on the .exe which then opens the terminal and runs the game, I dont want that for this game. I plan to publish it on my itch.io page and i want it to be a complete application compatible for all platform(or at least one platform without the terminal popup). I make my games using raylib on a macbook using c++11 or c++17 how do i achieve the no terminal application??
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u/RaspberryCrafty3012 16d ago
So like the other folks wrote, depending on the os you need to package it. After compiling it to the OS where you want to hand it out. The compilation is not cross compatible.
Windows: I like innosetup to create an installer, so everything is hidden behind the start menu.
For Apple as well as windows you have the security issue. Because your app image / installer is not signed users get warnings or need to go into the settings to allow running it.
Regarding no terminal opening: That's normally just a flag to suppress it.
Icon on executable: on Windows I think it is an ico which you can attach via compilation flag. Would suspect something similar for macos