Open Graphics Library® (OpenGL®) and DirectX® are graphics rendering programs, but there are important differences between the two. Game programmers often choose DirectX® because it has many features specific to game rendering, while OpenGL® is made for graphics rendering. OpenGL® and DirectX® also run on different operating systems (OS) due to the developers of the program. OpenGL® only creates graphics and relies on other programs for essential functionality, while DirectX® has many of its own supporting features. When DirectX® is updated, the entire program changes; OpenGL® releases extensions that don’t change the program itself, but add new features.
OpenGL is mainly used for graphics rendering.
Of OpenGL® and DirectX®, OpenGL® is one that does not include any specific game tools. DirectX® has many tools to control the volume, network, and input elements of a game. While OpenGL® can be used to create and control a game’s graphics, it doesn’t offer any other functionality, and programmers often need to use other programs in conjunction with OpenGL® to complete the game’s output.
In addition to gaming features, OpenGL® and DirectX® take different approaches for other features indirectly involved in displaying graphics. For example, a graphic may need to be controlled by hardware, such as a mouse or joystick, or music may be associated with the graphic. OpenGL® is only made to create and support graphics, so it requires support from other systems for graphics to work properly. Depending on the resource required, OpenGL® can be based on DirectX®. Many of these features are included in DirectX®, making it a stand-alone program.
OpenGL® and DirectX® are made to run on different operating systems. DirectX® is developed by Microsoft®, so this program is designed to work on various Microsoft® systems and is generally not compatible with other systems. OpenGL® is developed by various members and is an open source program, and is capable of running on many different operating systems and computing environments, such as embedded systems.
When they are updated, OpenGL® and DirectX® change in different ways. The user’s environment, hardware requirements, and tools change dramatically when DirectX® is updated. This often requires users to relearn the program, and hardware from older versions of DirectX® becomes obsolete and doesn’t work with the new graphics. An OpenGL® update isn’t that drastic; Instead of changing the user’s environment and launching a completely new program, OpenGL® creates extensions. They add new features, and if another computer doesn’t have the same extensions installed, OpenGL® will find a way to display graphics using older extensions.
