Is OpenGLAda still being updated?

No, the project is unmaintained as per the README, with the author open to community takeover. No new features or bug fixes are expected without new maintainers.

How do I set up OpenGLAda on Linux without Alire?

Use gprbuild and gprinstall for each library, manually setting scenario variables like Windowing_System and mode, and ensure GLFW and FreeType are available to the linker.

OpenGLAda or thin bindings: which is better for Ada OpenGL projects?

OpenGLAda is better for type-safe, idiomatic APIs with integrated tools, while thin bindings suit those needing minimal overhead and direct C-like control. Check the project's homepage for comparison lists.

How to handle OpenGL errors in OpenGLAda?

Configure the Auto_Exceptions scenario variable; when enabled, it automatically checks for OpenGL errors after each call and raises corresponding Ada exceptions, simplifying debugging.

What image formats does OpenGLAda support?

It uses the GID library for image loading, which supports various formats; refer to the GID documentation or examples repository for specific format details.

Can I use OpenGLAda on macOS with the latest OpenGL?

Yes, it supports macOS via Quartz windowing system, but dynamic loading handles OpenGL functions; however, as the project is unmaintained, newer OpenGL versions might not be fully covered.

opengl-ada

MITAdav0.9.0

A thick Ada 2005 binding for OpenGL and GLFW that enriches the API with Ada's object orientation, type safety, and generics.

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What is opengl-ada?

OpenGLAda is a comprehensive binding for OpenGL and GLFW designed specifically for the Ada 2005 programming language. It provides a thick, idiomatic Ada interface that leverages the language's advanced features like object orientation, type safety, and generics for graphics programming. The project includes additional libraries for text rendering and image loading to offer a complete toolkit for OpenGL development in Ada.

Target Audience

Ada developers who need to create graphics applications using OpenGL, particularly those who want a type-safe, idiomatic Ada API rather than thin C-style bindings. It's also suitable for developers migrating from C OpenGL stacks who want similar functionality (GLEW, GLUT, image loading) within an Ada environment.

Value Proposition

Developers choose OpenGLAda because it provides a thick binding that integrates Ada's language features for a more natural and type-safe OpenGL API, unlike thin wrappers. It offers a complete solution with dynamic loading of OpenGL functions, GLFW integration for window management, and additional libraries for text rendering and image loading, all designed specifically for Ada's ecosystem.

Overview

Thick Ada binding for OpenGL and GLFW

Use Cases

Best For

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105 stars16 forks0 contributors

Building OpenGL applications in Ada 2005 with an idiomatic, type-safe API
Migrating C OpenGL projects to Ada while maintaining similar functionality (GLEW, GLUT replacements)
Developing cross-platform graphics applications on macOS, Windows, and X11-based systems using Ada
Adding advanced text rendering with FreeType support to Ada OpenGL applications
Loading various image formats into OpenGL textures within Ada programs using the integrated GID library
Creating maintainable OpenGL code with configurable automatic error checking that raises Ada exceptions

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring actively maintained libraries with regular updates and community support.
Developers on operating systems where Alire does not automatically handle dependencies (e.g., non-Debian Linux distributions or custom setups).
Teams preferring minimal, close-to-metal OpenGL bindings without the overhead of an idiomatic Ada API.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Idiomatic Ada Integration

Wraps OpenGL with Ada's object orientation and type safety, offering a more natural API than thin C bindings, as highlighted in the project's philosophy.

Dynamic Function Loading

Loads post-OpenGL 1.1 subroutines at runtime via pointers, similar to GLEW, ensuring compatibility across systems without static linking failures.

Comprehensive Graphics Toolkit

Includes integrated libraries for text rendering with FreeType and image loading with GID, providing a complete suite for OpenGL development in Ada.

Configurable Error Handling

Offers automatic OpenGL error checking that raises Ada exceptions, improving debuggability and safety with scenario variables like Auto_Exceptions.

Cons

Unmaintained Status

The author explicitly states no time for maintenance, making it risky for long-term use without community takeover or forks.

Complex Dependency Setup

On unsupported systems, manual handling of GLFW and FreeType dependencies is required, as Alire automates this only for specific platforms like Windows, Debian, Ubuntu, and Arch Linux.

Ada 2005 Limitation

Bound to Ada 2005, potentially missing features from newer Ada standards and modern language improvements, though not explicitly addressed in updates.

Open Source Alternative To

opengl-ada is an open-source alternative to the following products:

G

GLEW

GLEW (OpenGL Extension Wrangler Library) is a cross-platform C/C++ library that helps query and load OpenGL extensions, providing efficient runtime mechanism for determining supported extensions.

G

GLUT

GLUT (OpenGL Utility Toolkit) is a library for creating OpenGL applications that provides window management, input handling, and basic 3D rendering utilities.

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Ada/SPARK

sdlada

Ada 2022 bindings to SDL 2

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Last commit10 months ago

vulkada

A complete Vulkan 1.1 thick binding for Ada 2012

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#graphics-programming