Function reference

graphics.h documentation for C graphics programming

Use these standalone references when you need syntax, parameter behavior, runnable examples, and practical mistakes for classic BGI functions. Our reference pages cover shapes, colors, and fill styles to help you learn C graphics programming.

Active Batches

Phase 1: Shape primitives
Phase 2: Colors and Fills
Phase 3: Text, Pixels, Setup, Timing
Phase 4: Screen clearing and cursor movement

Shapes

Drawing primitives

Outline shape

circle()

Draw a circle from a center point and radius, with examples for targets, rings, and classroom diagrams.

Outline shape

rectangle()

Draw boxes, frames, panels, and coordinate windows from left, top, right, and bottom edges.

Drawing primitive

line()

Create straight segments between two absolute points using the active color and line style.

Curve segment

arc()

Draw a circular curve between start and end angles measured in degrees.

Curve shape

ellipse()

Draw oval outlines and partial elliptical arcs with independent x and y radii.

Colors & Fills

Texturing and palettes

Fill Shape

bar()

Draw solid or patterned rectangular blocks without outline borders, best for UI panels and charts.

Color Settings

setcolor()

Configure the active foreground color index for outline vector shapes and outtextxy text rendering.

Color Settings

setbkcolor()

Change the background canvas color dynamically using BGI hardware palette index configuration.

Fill Settings

setfillstyle()

Set active tiling bitmaps and colors for solid shape fills like bar and floodfill.

Fill Operation

floodfill()

Use paint bucket boundary fills starting from a seed point inside enclosed coordinate spaces.

Text, Pixels & Setup

Program control and precise drawing

Text Output

outtextxy()

Draw labels, scores, and captions at exact graphics coordinates using the active text settings.

Pixel Plotting

putpixel()

Plot individual pixels for raster algorithms, curves, particles, and custom low-level drawings.

Setup

initgraph()

Start BGI graphics mode, detect a driver, configure the graphics mode, and handle startup errors.

Setup

closegraph()

Close graphics mode cleanly after displaying output, animations, or interactive drawing screens.

Timing

delay()

Pause drawing loops for simple animations, step-by-step demos, and timed screen updates.

Screen Control & Cursor Movement

Viewport refresh and connected path tools

Screen Control

cleardevice()

Clear the full active graphics screen before redrawing a new scene, chart, or animation frame.

Viewport Control

clearviewport()

Clear only the active viewport so panel borders, titles, or outside content can stay visible.

Cursor Movement

moveto()

Reposition the graphics cursor without drawing, so the next connected segment starts exactly where you want.

Connected Line

lineto()

Draw from the current cursor point to a new absolute endpoint and continue a connected path.

Relative Line

linerel()

Draw a segment using relative offsets, which is perfect for stepwise patterns and path construction.