WebGLProgram

The WebGLProgram is part of the WebGL API and is a combination of two compiled WebGLShaders consisting of a vertex shader and a fragment shader (both written in GLSL). These are then linked into a usable program.

JavaScript
var program = gl.createProgram();

// Attach pre-existing shaders
gl.attachShader(program, vertexShader);
gl.attachShader(program, fragmentShader);

gl.linkProgram(program);

if ( !gl.getProgramParameter( program, gl.LINK_STATUS) ) {
  var info = gl.getProgramInfoLog(program);
  throw "Could not compile WebGL program. \n\n" + info;
}

See WebGLShader for information on creating the vertexShader and fragmentShader in the above example.

Examples

Using the program

The steps to actually do some work with the program involve telling the GPU to use the program, bind the appropriate data and configuration options, and finally draw something to the screen.

JavaScript
// Use the program
gl.useProgram(program);

// Bind existing attribute data
gl.bindBuffer(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, buffer);
gl.enableVertexAttribArray(attributeLocation);
gl.vertexAttribPointer(attributeLocation, 3, gl.FLOAT, false, 0, 0);

// Draw a single triangle
gl.drawArrays(gl.TRIANGLES, 0, 3);

Deleting the program

If there is an error linking the program or you wish to delete an existing program, then it is as simple as running WebGLRenderingContext.deleteProgram(). This frees the memory of the linked program.

JavaScript
gl.deleteProgram(program);

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WebGL 1.0
The definition of 'WebGLProgram' in that specification.
Recommendation Initial definition.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 9 4.0 (2.0) 11 12 5.1
Available in workers No support 44 (44) [1] No support No support No support
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support ? 25 (Yes) ? 12 8.1
Available in workers No support No support 44.0 (44) [1] No support No support No support

[1] This feature is behind a feature preference setting. In about:config, set gfx.offscreencanvas.enabled to true.

See also

License

© 2016 Mozilla Contributors
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-us/docs/web/api/webglprogram

WebGL WebGLProgram