GLCONTEXTMINORVERSION

GLCONTEXTMINORVERSION is a constant in the OpenGL API, specifically defined in the GL/gl.h header file. It represents the minor version number of the OpenGL context. The concept of context versioning is crucial in OpenGL, as it allows applications to request and use specific versions of the API, ensuring compatibility and access to newer features.

The minor version number is part of the version string that identifies the OpenGL context. It is used in conjunction with the major version number (GLCONTEXTMAJORVERSION) to form a complete version identifier. For example, an OpenGL 3.3 context would have a major version of 3 and a minor version of 3.

Developers use GLCONTEXTMINORVERSION to query the minor version of the current OpenGL context. This is typically done through the glGetIntegerv function, which retrieves various parameters of the OpenGL context, including the version numbers. By querying GLCONTEXTMINORVERSION, applications can adapt their behavior based on the capabilities of the underlying graphics hardware and driver.

Understanding and correctly interpreting the context version is essential for writing portable and efficient OpenGL code. It ensures that the application can take advantage of the features available in the requested version while maintaining compatibility with a wide range of hardware and drivers.