sdl2_net ☆

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Description:
Small sample cross-platform networking library

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | @libsdl_org | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Networking

Tags: networking sdl gamedev cross-platform sockets

Install: brew install sdl2_net

About:
SDL_net is a small, cross-platform networking library that provides a simple, portable interface to TCP and UDP sockets. It abstracts away platform-specific socket implementation details, allowing developers to write network code that compiles and runs identically across Windows, macOS, Linux, and other systems. This library is part of the Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) ecosystem, making it an ideal choice for game developers needing straightforward networking capabilities.

Key Features:

Cross-platform TCP and UDP socket abstraction
Support for network DNS resolution and IP address handling
Integration with SDL's main event loop for non-blocking I/O
Minimal dependencies and small footprint

Use Cases:

Adding multiplayer networking to SDL-based games
Creating cross-platform networked applications
Implementing simple client-server communication

Alternatives:

libuv – More comprehensive async I/O with networking, but larger and more complex
Boost.Asio – Powerful C++ networking library, but requires C++ and Boost ecosystem
enet – Focuses on reliable UDP with optional reliability layers, more specialized for games

Version History

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