The SGL library is aimed at students learning to write computer programs with C++. It is appropriate for university freshman in an introductory programming course designed for computer science majors, but experienced C++ programmers wishing to add some graphics to their applications can use the SGL without the overhead of more complicated graphics packages. The SGL, like GLUT, emphasizes graphics, not graphical user interfaces, so programmers wishing to build a sophisticated GUI for their application should consider other C++ graphics libraries.

The SGL is distinguished from similar toolkits like GLOW and GLUI in two main ways:

The SGL has a Java-like feel to it. This eases the transition for programmers moving from a Java 2-D graphics environment to C++. By the same token a C++ programmer with SGL experience can more easily transition to the Java 2-D graphics development environment.

In addition to its object-oriented API, the SGL library provides a very simple procedural interface. The procedural interface is not as powerful as the OO API, but it allows novice programmers who are familiar with functions, but oblivious to objects, to write simple graphical programs.