OpenGL for Ubuntu is a version of the Open Graphics Library designed for the Ubuntu operating system. The Mesa library is the main implementation, and most end-users don’t need to know much about it. However, creating an OpenGL development environment can be complicated due to heavy requirements for dependent libraries. Additionally, updated libraries and extensions may not be immediately available, and may need to be obtained from the Debian repositories.
OpenGL® for Ubuntu® is an implementation of the Open Graphics Library® that has been specifically written, designed and compiled to work within the unique software environment of the Ubuntu® operating system. Ubuntu® is a version of the Debian® Linux® operating system designed to be very intuitive and includes many graphics drivers for using OpenGL® programs within the initial installation. Similar to other versions of the OpenGL® libraries and extensions that have been designed to run on other operating systems and on other devices, the actual libraries for use and development are maintained by a separate third party from the main development branch that handles OpenGL® . Libraries used in OpenGL® for Ubuntu® are generally updated as quickly as libraries for other operating systems, although drivers provided by hardware manufacturers are sometimes delayed, leading to a temporary inability to use new hardware-accelerated features that extensions may be available.
The main OpenGL® implementation for Ubuntu® is specifically known as the Mesa® library. Most users who use OpenGL® only as an end user to run applications developed elsewhere usually don’t need to know anything other than what type of graphics card is installed in the computer and what version of OpenGL® is currently installed, in case of update is needed. Through Ubuntu®, most aspects of installing and using OpenGL® as an end user are handled invisibly.
Alternatively, the process of creating an OpenGL® development environment for Ubuntu® to write programs that use the library can be a much more involved procedure. In general, the Mesa® core library is required, as well as additional utility libraries used to support some specific functionality, such as the OpenGL® Utility Toolkit (GLUT). The development versions of the libraries differ from the end-user versions in that they include the necessary header files and other programming language-specific pieces required for an OpenGL® project to successfully compile.
One problem you may encounter when using OpenGL® for Ubuntu® for application development is the heavy requirements for dependent libraries outside of OpenGL®. The names of these required libraries are not always clearly known in advance and are sometimes only discovered after a failed compilation attempt. During the first test builds with OpenGL® for Ubuntu®, many of the libraries will have to be acquired through the appropriate software repositories.
One final complication that can occur with OpenGL® for Ubuntu® is the migration of some updated libraries and extensions to the specific Ubuntu® platform. Through the software repository applications built into Ubuntu®, downloading pre-compiled binaries is very simple. There are times, however, when binaries aren’t made available until a later date. This sometimes has to be circumvented through the use of the primary Debian® repositories.
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