Changing Window IDs

No, SDL does not allow you to change a window's ID after it has been created. When you create a window using SDL_CreateWindow(), SDL assigns it a unique, immutable integer ID. This ID is used internally by SDL to track and manage windows and is referenced in events like SDL_WINDOWEVENT and SDL_MOUSEBUTTONDOWN.

Why Can't You Change It?

• Consistency: The ID ensures a consistent reference to the same window throughout its lifetime. Changing it could cause bugs or make event handling unreliable.
• Internal Management: SDL uses the ID as a key in its internal data structures. Altering it would disrupt these mappings.

Alternatives to Changing IDs

If you need to associate custom data with a window, consider using SDL_SetWindowData() and SDL_GetWindowData(). These functions let you attach and retrieve custom pointers from a window without interfering with its ID:

1SDL_SetWindowData(window, "customKey",
2                  myCustomPointer);
3                  
4void* data = SDL_GetWindowData(
5  window, "customKey");

This way, you can manage your own references without needing to modify the ID.

In short, while you can’t change a window’s ID, SDL provides other mechanisms to achieve flexibility in managing window data.