3.11. Summary

The OpenGL Shading Language is a high-level procedural language designed specifically for the OpenGL environment. This language allows applications to specify the behavior of programmable, highly parallel graphics hardware. It contains constructs that allow succinct expression of graphics shading algorithms in a way that is natural for programmers experienced in C and C++.

The OpenGL Shading Language includes support for scalar, vector, and matrix types; structures and arrays; sampler types that access textures; data type qualifiers that define shader input and output; constructors for initialization and type conversion; and operators and flow-control statements like those in C and C++.