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GLFW

From Quire, the open reference·Software library·1 min read
GLFW
Original authorMarcus Geelnard
DeveloperThe GLFW Development Team
ReleaseFebruary 17, 2002
Stable release3.5.1 / July 31, 2026[1]
Written inC
Operating systemLinux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD
PlatformCross-platform
TypeAPI
Licensezlib/libpng License[2]
Websitewww.glfw.org 
Repositorygithub.com/glfw/glfw

GLFW (Graphics Library Framework) is a lightweight utility library for use with OpenGL, OpenGL ES and Vulkan. It provides programmers with the ability to create and manage windows as well as OpenGL and Vulkan contexts, as well as handle joystick, keyboard and mouse input.[3]

Software architecture#edit

GLFW is a small C library that allows the creation and management of windows with OpenGL contexts, making it also possible to use multiple monitors and video modes. It provides access to input from the keyboard, mouse, and joysticks.[4] The API provides a thin, multi-platform abstraction layer, primarily for applications whose sole graphics output is through the OpenGL API. While GLFW is designed for developing multi-platform OpenGL applications, it may also be used to avoid platform-specific APIs.

GLFW is used in programs that require a window, due to OpenGL not providing any mechanisms for creating the necessary contexts, managing windows, user input, timing, etc.[5] There are several other libraries available for aiding OpenGL development. The most common ones are FreeGLUT (an Open Source implementation of GLUT) and SDL. However, FreeGLUT is mostly concerned with providing a stable clone of GLUT, while SDL is too large for some people and has never had OpenGL as its main focus. GLFW is predicated on the assumption that there is room for a lightweight, modern library for managing OpenGL contexts, windows, and input.

GLFW is not a user-interface library, platform-specific library, image-loading library or a threading library. Additionally, it cannot render independently or playback sound.[6]

Programming language bindings#edit

Although GLFW is written in C, bindings do exist to use the API with other programming languages including Ada, C#, Common Lisp, D, Delphi, Go, Harbour, Haskell, Java, Julia, Python, Rebol, Red, Ruby and Rust, among others.[7]

Back-ends#edit

GLFW version 3.2 has experimental support for Wayland through compile-time flags.[8]

See also#edit

References#edit

  1. ^ "Releases · glfw/glfw". github.com. Retrieved 2026-08-18.
  2. ^ "License | GLFW". glfw.org. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  3. ^ "GLFW homepage". www.glfw.org. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  4. ^ "GLFW: Input guide". www.glfw.org. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  5. ^ "LearnOpenGL - Creating a window". www.learnopengl.com. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  6. ^ "GLFW – FAQ". Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  7. ^ "GLFW Programming language bindings". Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  8. ^ "GLFW: New features in 3.2".
Categories Application programming interfacesC (programming language) librariesCross-platform softwareFree software programmed in CLinux APIsMacOS APIsOpenGLSoftware using the zlib licenseWindows APIs

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