Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Linux for OpenGL Development

Introduction

As we know, Linux is the choice of many developers because of its flexibility and robustness, keeping that in mind i would like to share the way I develop an OpenGL project in Linux.

This step by step guide will make sure to make clear how to setup libraries and code editors necessary for the development of the projects.

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Instructions:

Before going ahead, make sure your system and graphic drivers are up to date.

Step 1 : Install Libraries and Download Source Code

•     sudo apt install glfw3-dev
  

• Get the source code for GLAD from here.

Step 2 : Install Visual Studio Code (with following extensions)

Step 3 : Select a folder and Run-

code .

Step 4 : Make Project using CMake Tools

• Press Ctrl + P, then type ">quick", select the following option: CMake : Quick Start

• Now enter the project name (here we will use "test_project")

• Select C++ project option

• Check all the boxes in next menu

If followed correctly you will end up with a CMakeLists.txt like this :

Step 5 : Edit your CMakeLists.txt

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.5.0)
project(test VERSION 0.1.0 LANGUAGES C CXX)

cmake_policy(SET CMP0072 NEW)

find_package(OpenGL REQUIRED)
find_package(glfw3 REQUIRED)

include_directories(${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/include)

set(SOURCES
    ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/main.cpp
    ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/glad.c
)

add_executable(test_project ${SOURCES})

target_link_libraries(test_project
    glfw
    OpenGL::GL
)

include(CTest)
enable_testing()

set(CPACK_PROJECT_NAME ${PROJECT_NAME})
set(CPACK_PROJECT_VERSION ${PROJECT_VERSION})
include(CPack)

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Results

Paste this code in the main.cpp file, press build and then run the file.