Created by the OpenGL Architecture Review Board, the OpenGL Shading Language, also known as GLSL, is a high-level shading language whose syntax is based on the C programming language.
Introduced as an extension to OpenGL, was made part of the core of OpenGL 2.0 in 2004, the first major revision to OpenGL since its creation in 1992. Previously, its functions had been provided through shaders in the ARB assembly language, which was a complex task.
GLSL offers cross-platform compatibility with GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as the ability to write shaders that can be used on any hardware vendor's graphics card that supports the OpenGL Shading Language. Hardware vendors include the GLSL compiler in their driver, allowing each vendor to create code specific to their graphic card's architecture.
Versions of GLSL have evolved along with Open GL API versions, although version numbers didn't begin matching until versions 3.3.
Both OpenGL-ES and WebGL use the OpenGL ES Shading Language. WebGL is an OpenGL-ES dialect for web browsers.
The focal point of this category is on the OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL), and any tools or resources designed to facilitate GLSL programming. User groups, forums, tutorials, or guides for the language are also appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
3D Game Engine Programming: OpenGL/GLSL
The site is focused on teaching the latest 3D game engine programming techniques, including such topics as OpenGL and the GLSL programming language, and includes an introduction to OpenGL and GLSL, texturing and lighting, an introduction to Shader programming, using OpenGL vertex buffer objects, OpenGL extensions, and rendering primitives with OpenGL. Other topics include CUDA, XNA, and the Unity game engine, as well as DirectX and DirectX 12.
https://www.3dgep.com/tag/opengl/
Dr. Gerdelan is the author of the book entitled, “Anton’s OpenGL 4 Tutorials.” The site includes how-to guides for coders, links to where the book may be purchased, as well as guides to performing several of the basic concepts of programming in GLSL, a starter on WebGL, and other useful references. Several lecture slides on various programming topics are available in PDF format, or in HTML, and several games, programmed in OpenGL Shader Language, are presented.
http://antongerdelan.net/
Available from the Apple App Store, GLSL Studio is the first fully-featured OpenGL ES 2.0 programming environment for iOS. GLSL is a programming language used in the creation of games and other applications. GLSL Studio is a full OpenGL programming environment that supports vertex and fragment shaders, and programs can be easily exported for use on any platform that supports OpenGL ES 2.0. Its features are highlighted, and promotional video is available.
http://www.glslstudio.com/
Serving as a teaching platform for the OpenGL graphics API, the tutorial includes a beginning, intermediate, and advanced instruction in the API. Featured is an introduction to OpenGL, its prerequisites and structure, getting started with its use, lighting, model loading, advanced OpenGL, and advanced lighting topics. Other topics relating to the API include physically based rendering, the practice of debugging, text rendering, and 2D games. An e-book may be downloaded for free.
https://learnopengl.com/
The Web Graphics Library is a rasterization engine that draws points, lines, and triangles based on code supplied by the user. WebGL runs on the computer’s GPU. Code is provided in the form of pairs of functions, known as a vertex shader and a fragment shader, each written in GL Shader Language, also known as GLSL. The fundamentals of WebGL are presented here, along with a tutorial for its use, references, Helper API documentation, and TWGL, a tiny WebGL helper library.
https://webglfundamentals.org/
Western Sydney Institute offers an overview of the OpenGL Shader Language, which operates directly on the graphic microprocessing unit on the user’s graphics card. Unlike OpenGL, the Shader Language is a programming language, like C, and can be used to override much of the functionality in OpenGL while also extending its functionality. Its setup, programming, shaders, wrappers, and example code are put forth, with information on syntax, built-in variables, and functions.
http://relativity.net.au/gaming/glsl/
