SDL 2.0 compiles, but failt to run - c++

Question

Im using the latest SDL 2.0 version on Xubuntu 64-bits. I installed through the provided install script on the source code.
Compiling works well, however when trying to open a font or image (regardless of its extension), it will always fail to open.
#include <iostream>
#include <SDL2/SDL.h>
#include <SDL2/SDL_ttf.h>
int main (int argc, char *argvp[])
{
if (SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_EVERYTHING) == -1)
{
cout << SDL_GetError() << endl;
}
if (TTF_Init() == -1)
{
std::cout << TTF_GetError() << std::endl;
return 2;
}
TTF_Font *font1 = NULL;
font1 = TTF_OpenFont("SourceSansPro-Regular.ttf", 20);
if (font1 == NULL)
{
std::cout << "ERROR OPENING FONT = " << TTF_GetError() << std::endl;
}
TTF_CloseFont(font1);
SDL_Quit();
return 0;
}
I compiled with
g++ -Wall fontTEST.cpp -o TEST -lSDL2 -lSDL_ttf (NOTE that SDL_ttf installs as such, not as SDL2_ttf)
And get the following error: Failed to load font: 0 Couldn't load font file
This happens with images as well. I've already tried with different fonts and images, apparently it works if I compile with SDL 1.2, just not with 2.0.
Also why does the provided install script installs the lib and include folders in /user/local/?
I moved them to /usr/ but the problem persists.

Answer 1

Remember the following:
On Unix, file paths are case-sensitive
As said in Xonar's comment, tilde '~' expansion is a shell feature, it does not work in C/C++ programs, you should use the real path instead.
The strace log says clearly that something is wrong with the path.
You should try the following:
Rename your font file to "font.ttf"
put it in /home/user/font.ttf
use "/home/user/font.ttf" as the path in your code.