glBindVertexArray

glBindVertexArray is an OpenGL function that binds a Vertex Array Object (VAO) to the current OpenGL context. A VAO stores the state needed to supply vertex data to the vertex shader, including the configuration of vertex attributes and the bindings of vertex buffer objects.

The function signature is void glBindVertexArray(GLuint array). If array is zero, the currently bound VAO is unbound and no VAO is active. If array is non-zero, the named VAO becomes current; the name must refer to a VAO that has been previously generated with glGenVertexArrays, otherwise GL_INVALID_OPERATION may be generated.

In a typical workflow you generate one or more VAOs with glGenVertexArrays, bind one with glBindVertexArray, then configure attribute state by calling glVertexAttribPointer and glEnableVertexAttribArray, and bind GL_ELEMENT_ARRAY_BUFFER or GL_ARRAY_BUFFER as needed. All of these settings are stored in the currently bound VAO. Binding another VAO replaces the stored state for that VAO; binding 0 unbinds and returns to a default unbound state.

VAOs are central to modern OpenGL (core profile) as they encapsulate all per-VAO vertex state. They do not themselves store vertex data; they reference VBOs and their attribute configurations.

Compatibility and availability: glBindVertexArray is part of the ARB_vertex_array_object extension and is required for core OpenGL 3.0 and later. It is widely supported in compatibility contexts as well.