OpenGL

OpenGL is a cross-platform specification for rendering 2D and 3D graphics through a standardized programming interface to graphics hardware. Its commands describe graphics operations without prescribing a particular hardware implementation.

OpenGL rendering pipeline: The sequence of OpenGL stages that transforms vertex data into fragments and framebuffer output. It shows how OpenGL organizes drawing work from submitted geometry to rendered pixels.
Graphics processing unit: A processor specialized for parallel operations, especially graphics and other data-intensive workloads. OpenGL commands commonly execute on a GPU, though implementations can use other processors.
Silicon Graphics: An American computer company known for graphics workstations and visualization systems. Silicon Graphics developed the proprietary system that preceded OpenGL.
Vulkan: A cross-platform graphics and compute API that exposes lower-level control over GPU resources and work submission. Vulkan offers more explicit control than OpenGL's stateful, higher-level interface.
Computer-aided design: The use of software to create, modify, analyze, or optimize designs. OpenGL has been used to render interactive models and technical views in CAD software.
GLSL: The OpenGL Shading Language is a programming language for writing shaders used by OpenGL. GLSL programs customize programmable stages of the OpenGL rendering pipeline.
Graphics pipeline: A staged process that transforms scene data into a two-dimensional image. OpenGL is one standardized interface for controlling a graphics pipeline.
Iris GL: Silicon Graphics' proprietary graphics programming interface for its workstations. OpenGL emerged when Silicon Graphics turned Iris GL into a more portable standard.
Direct3D: Microsoft's graphics API for rendering and compute on Windows and Xbox platforms. Direct3D is OpenGL's major platform-centered counterpart in desktop graphics.
Scientific visualization: The representation of scientific data as images to aid analysis and communication. OpenGL accelerates interactive views of simulations, measurements, and volumetric data.

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