Updated April 18, 2023
Difference between OpenGL vs OpenCL
OpenGL is expanded as an open graphics library and it’s an API that transfers the data from CPU to GPU. The graphics developer transfers the data to GPU as OpenGL objects. When the data is copied to GPU, it passes via OpenGL rendering pipeline. Whereas open computing language is called OpenCL and it’s designed to offer a flawless interface for computations. It is applicable in real-time scenarios to solve problems that don’t have many dependencies and requires more computation power. Collision check, 3D scenes, linear algebra, and search algorithm works based on OpenCL. Here, we discuss some important key differences between OpenGL and OpenCL.
Head to Head Comparison Between OpenGL vs OpenCL (Infographics)
Below are the top 8 differences between OpenGL vs OpenCL:
Comparison Table of OpenGL and OpenCL
| Features | OpenGL | OpenCL |
| Definition | OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-platform and application programming interface that is used for vector graphics rendering in two and three-dimension. | OpenCL (Open Computing language) is a framework that is used to create a program for computation across heterogeneous platforms |
| Incorporation | It was incorporated by Silicon graphics and is now managed by Khronos | It was incorporated by Apple Inc and is now managed by Khronos. |
| Languages | It can be programmed in C | It can be programmed with the binding of C++ and C |
| applications | It is widely applied in the graphical operation of 2D and 3D images | It is used to program multiple GPU’s FGPA’s, DSP, and CPU |
| Platform | It applied in PC NVIDIA GPU, non-NVIDIA GPU, Android, iOS, and Browsers | It is applied in PC NVIDIA GPU, non-NVIDIA GPU, few cases are applied in Android, but it is not officially installed in iOS and browser |
| Integration | It doesn’t have such type integration tools | The tools can be integrated with Java, Python, macOS, and C++ |
| Components | The process involved in OpenGL is Vertex specification, shader, tessellation, geometry shader, vertex post-processing, primitive assembly, rasterization, fragment shader, per-sample operations. | OpenCL has two stages producer and consumer stage. In producer, the data is fed to the kernel and in consumer, it’s processed to skewed handing kernel and other three output of kernel which is fed into DDR |
| Companies | Cruise, Keakr, Kosada, and other few companies use OpenGL | Glorious Lab uses OpenCL |
Key difference between OpenGL vs OpenCL
The important difference is OpenGL works on graphics rendering programs and OpenCL is used for complicated computations. But both of them are managed by Khronos and compiled using C language. OpenGL enables programming to do graphical operations and OpenCL allows programming to do the computation in multiple processors.
Accessibility:
OpenGL was found by Silicon graphics and used for 3D and 2D vector graphics. It is widespread and one of the most used APIs in graphical programming. It is outstanding and makes developers realize its irreplaceable usage often. OpenCL was incorporated by Apple Inc and in OpenCL, the kernel function is executed and enables the program executed to host and implies the kernel on a computing device and manages the memory device. It also enables other programming languages like C++, C. Java, .NET, Python, Perl to write programs
Applications:
OpenGL is applied to make UI animations to manage embedded video or used to build vector graphics. It is widely used in flight simulation, mechanical engineering, designing video games, and scientific visualization. OpenGL is already defined with a set of functions and the graphical designer can use it in their program directly like objects. It is used to develop two-dimensional Hexagon, triangles and polygons, and three-dimensional torus, spheres, and cubes. It is applied in rotation, shading and filling colors, translations, scaling, blending, animations, making atmospheric effects like smoke or fog, projections, and adding interaction on input devices. It also enhances the performance of the system and enables parallel computing, OpenCL is used to enhance the performance and the processors are varied depending on the task. It is similar to a framework where the program writes coding for heterogeneous systems. It is applicable in digital signal processors, multiple GPU’s and CP’s, field-programmable gate array, data-dependent parallelism and performs parallel computing based on the priority of the tasks.
Data sharing between OpenCL and OpenGL
The concept of data sharing is to write and read the same memory and to enable this possible, the application develops memory objects of OpenCL from the objects of OpenGL. In precise, the host develops the buffer object extracted from VBO, and from rendering objects and textures it extracts images. The memory objects are developed from OpenGL to enable interoperability between OpenCL and OpenGL. The data in OpenGL can be access in any of the three forms. The vertex data like color, constant vectors, and coordinates are present in vertex buffer objects. The image form comprises texture data in texture objects and render buffer object consists of pixel needs to be displayed. The standard OpenGL application develops and initializes VBO’s and shares the VBO to GPU. By using attributes, the vertex shader process the data. By integrating OpenCL and OpenGL, the developer can develop a code for the application on GPU by initializing VBO data and using the Kernel of OpenCL. It is performed as vertex data doesn’t need to share from CPU to GPU. Before accessing the VBO from the kernel, the host must develop a buffer object using the below function to serve the purpose of sharing the data.
clCreateFromGLBuffe
Interoperability of OpenCL and OpenGL:
To integrate OpenCL and OpenGL the basic_interop codes are developed and then the OpenCL kernel defines the color and coordinates of vertices. It may be quite complicated as there are many functions and data structures involved and even developer gets confused about the purpose of codes and its functions. But once it’s clear, he finds it interesting and implies it in many applications to explore the advantages.
Conclusion
In 3-D render, OpenGL is a bit competitive and can find often in scientific visualization, CAD, and video games. But in rendering, it can be accelerated in OpenCL and can be developed in code that is reusable. So each owner is unique and non-beatable in their own environment.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to OpenGL vs OpenCL. Here we discuss OpenGL vs OpenCL key differences with infographics and comparison table, respectively. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
