OpenGL

Open Graphics Library

OpenGL

(OPENGraphics Library) A 3D graphics language developed by Silicon Graphics (SGI). Introduced in 1992, OpenGL has become a de facto standard supported by most desktop and mobile platforms. Administered by the Khronos Group (www.khronos.org/opengl), OpenGL can be implemented as an extension to an operating system or to a windowing system such as X Window, and all high-end 3D graphics cards include OpenGL drivers. OpenGL and Direct3D (Microsoft's DirectX) are the major 3D graphics languages in use today.

OpenGL for Embedded Systems
OpenGL ES is a subset of OpenGL for smartphones, tablets and video game consoles. Introduced in 2003 initially for Android, Symbian, QNX and PlayStation 3, OpenGL ES was subsequently available on numerous other platforms, including Raspberry Pi, iPhones and iPads. See WebGL, OpenCL, OPC and Cg. See also OpenAL.