Beginning WebGL for HTML5

CHAPTER 2

Shaders 101

In this chapter, we will be covering the GL Shading Language (GLSL) in depth. Topics that we will cover include

• an overview of the WebGL graphics pipeline
• the difference between fixed functionality and modern-day programmable shaders
• the role of vertex shaders and fragment shaders within the GLSL
• how to create and use shaders within a WebGL application
• a detailed overview of the GLSL including its primitive types and built-in functions
• examples of procedural fragment shaders

Graphics Pipelines

A graphics pipeline consists of the steps that an image goes through from initial definition to final screen rendering. This pipeline ...