Hot Reload #

Hot reload is implemented by compiling src/game as a dynamic library and running a separate loader executable from src/lib/hot_reload.

How it works #

1. just build-game builds build/hot_reload/game.{dylib,so,dll}.
2. The loader copies that file to a versioned path such as game_0.dylib.
3. The loader uses core:dynlib to load exported symbols with the game_ prefix.
4. When the canonical game library changes, the loader copies and loads the new version.
5. If size_of(Game_Memory) is unchanged, the old memory pointer is passed to game_hot_reloaded.
6. If the size changed, the loader shuts down the old game memory and initializes fresh memory.

Rules of thumb #

• Keep persistent game state in Game_Memory or reachable from it.
• Temporary per-frame allocations should use context.temp_allocator and be cleared each frame.
• Changing the size of Game_Memory restarts memory automatically.
• Do not store function pointers from the hot-loaded library in persistent memory unless you manage their lifetime carefully.

Controls #

• F5: force a reload
• F6: force a memory restart
• Esc: quit