vertexbuffer

A vertex buffer is a data structure used in computer graphics to store the vertices of a geometric primitive, such as a triangle, line, or point. It is typically stored in graphics processing unit (GPU) memory, allowing for efficient access and rendering. Each vertex contains various attributes, including position, color, texture coordinates, and normal vectors.

The primary purpose of a vertex buffer is to optimize the process of sending vertex data from the CPU to the GPU. Instead of sending individual vertex data repeatedly for each primitive, a vertex buffer can hold all the necessary data for a collection of vertices. This batching of data significantly reduces the overhead associated with communication between the CPU and GPU, leading to faster rendering performance.

When rendering a scene, the GPU reads the vertex data from the vertex buffer and uses it to construct geometric shapes. The attributes stored within each vertex are then used by shaders to determine how each vertex, and consequently the resulting primitive, should be displayed. This includes calculating lighting, applying textures, and transforming vertices into screen space. Vertex buffers are fundamental to modern 3D graphics pipelines and are a key component in achieving high-performance rendering.