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GLlike

GLlike is a term used to describe software libraries or interfaces that imitate the OpenGL API, providing a graphics rendering model with a familiar GL-style naming and semantics. It does not refer to a single standardized project, but rather to a family of implementations that aim to offer a OpenGL-like programming experience, sometimes to ease porting, experimentation, or cross‑platform development.

Overview and purpose

GLlike implementations are typically designed to help developers write rendering code without committing to a specific

Common characteristics

A GLlike API generally includes concepts familiar to OpenGL users, such as shader programs, vertex buffers,

Backends and implementations

GLlike can be realized as translation layers that map GL-like calls to other graphics backends, or as

History and usage

There is no single authoritative GLlike specification. The term is used in academic, experimental, and hobby

See also

OpenGL, GLES, Vulkan, Direct3D, Metal, graphics API wrappers, and translation layers.

low-level
API.
They
may
serve
as
a
portable
abstraction
layer
that
allows
code
written
against
an
OpenGL-like
API
to
run
on
different
backends,
such
as
Vulkan,
DirectX,
Metal,
or
software
rasterizers.
Some
projects
focus
on
educational
value
or
rapid
prototyping,
while
others
target
hobbyist
or
research
use.
index
buffers,
textures,
and
a
state-based
pipeline.
Some
variants
provide
compatibility
profiles
or
shader
language
compatibility
to
ease
transition
from
legacy
OpenGL
code.
Because
GLlike
projects
can
vary
in
scope,
the
exact
feature
set
and
level
of
OpenGL
fidelity
differ
between
implementations.
standalone
rendering
engines
offering
a
GL-inspired
API
on
top
of
a
chosen
backend.
Languages
and
bindings
vary,
with
C
and
C++
being
common,
though
some
projects
explore
bindings
in
other
languages.
contexts
to
describe
GL‑style
APIs
that
prioritize
portability
or
educational
clarity
over
a
canonical
standard.
Adoption
tends
to
be
project-specific,
with
varying
degrees
of
maturity
and
community
support.