
Teaching Computer Graphics
Starting with Shader-Based
OpenGL
Edward Angel
1.1 Introduction
For at least ten years, OpenGL has been used in the first computer graphics course
taught to students in computer science and engineering, other branches of engi-
neering, mathematics, and the sciences. Whether the course stresses b asic graphics
principles or takes a programming approach, OpenGL provides students with an API
to support their learning. One of the many features of the OpenGL API that makes
it popular for teaching is its stability and backward compatibility. Hence, instruc-
tors needed to make only minor changes in their courses as OpenGL evolved.