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OpenGL
Cross-platform graphics API / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with OpenCL.
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library[4]) is a cross-language, cross-platform application programming interface (API) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. The API is typically used to interact with a graphics processing unit (GPU), to achieve hardware-accelerated rendering.
Quick Facts Original author(s), Developer(s) ...
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![]() A diagram of how video games on Linux outsource real-time rendering calculations to a GPU using OpenGL. | |
Original author(s) | Silicon Graphics |
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Developer(s) | Khronos Group (formerly ARB) |
Initial release | June 30, 1992; 32 years ago (1992-06-30) |
Stable release | |
Written in | C[2] |
Successor | Vulkan |
Type | 3D graphics API |
License |
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Website | opengl.org |
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Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) began developing OpenGL in 1991 and released it on June 30, 1992.[5][6] It is used for a variety of applications, including computer-aided design (CAD), video games, scientific visualization, virtual reality, and flight simulation. Since 2006, OpenGL has been managed by the non-profit technology consortium Khronos Group.[7]