Open GL Bindings (was Re: GPGPU Arrays)

[Clay Smith]

Mikola Lysenko wrote:
> Personally, I think that it would be a bad idea to jump in and add language-level support for GPU specific functions.  The technology is just changing so fast right now that any effort would probably be hopelessly obsolete within a few months.
> 
> That said, I think it would be good to get OpenGL / GLSL bindings into the standard library.  When it comes to graphics, these are basically standard interfaces, and official library support would be huge.  They provide all the basic facilities for handling GPGPU, without the built in expiration date.  Besides, we could leverage the excellent work that has already been done by Aldacron et.al.  Off the top of my head, I can think of a several benefits of this approach:
> 
> 1. Reduced set up hassle

It would be nice to have OGL standard lib support, but not necessary IMO.

For 1, just use DSSS.

> 
> 2.  Built in OpenGL is more newbie friendly
> 

True... then again, OpenGL is kind of low level. A higher level lib 
would be even more newbie friendly, and will likely come with OGL 
bindings anyway.

> 
> 3. OpenGL is standard
> 

I wouldn't mind seeing it, but it would put some stress on Walter and 
Mike to put through the major effort of keeping these bindings updated 
and working with the latest compiler and OpenGL versions.

~ Clay