Terminal Image Viewer: A Programmer's Odyssey
2025-01-19
A programmer embarks on a challenging journey to create the perfect terminal image viewer. Starting with simple pixel display, he delves into the intricacies of loading and rendering various image formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF, AVIF, JPEG XL, HEIC, ETC, BC, OpenEXR, etc.), encountering unexpected hurdles along the way: inconsistent format standards, poorly documented libraries, the complexities of HDR image processing, the subtleties of color management, and the limitations of terminal output protocols. He ultimately overcomes these challenges to build a powerful image viewer, gaining a deep appreciation for the complexities and fascinations of computer graphics.
Development
terminal display