DirectXOpenGLVulkan

DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan are all graphics and compute APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). They provide a standardized way for software, particularly games and demanding applications, to interact with the graphics processing unit (GPU) of a computer. These APIs abstract away the complex hardware specifics, allowing developers to write code that runs on a wide range of hardware from different manufacturers.

DirectX, primarily developed by Microsoft, is a suite of technologies for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. It is a proprietary API and is deeply integrated into Windows. Different versions of DirectX exist, with newer versions offering more advanced features and performance.

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is an open-standard API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. It is cross-platform, meaning it can be used on Windows, macOS, Linux, and other operating systems. OpenGL has a long history and is widely used in various industries, including CAD, virtual reality, and scientific visualization, in addition to gaming.

Vulkan is a newer, lower-overhead, cross-platform 3D graphics and compute API. It was developed by the Khronos Group, the same consortium behind OpenGL. Vulkan offers developers more direct control over the GPU, which can lead to significant performance improvements by reducing CPU overhead and allowing for more efficient multi-threading. It is designed for modern hardware and aims to provide a more predictable and efficient rendering pipeline. While both OpenGL and DirectX offer higher-level abstractions, Vulkan is often seen as a more modern and powerful alternative for developers seeking maximum performance and control.