What are vertex shaders in C++ graphics programming?

What are vertex shaders in C++ graphics programming?

Vertex shaders are programs that process vertex data in the graphics pipeline, transforming 3D coordinates into 2D screen space.

How do I write a simple vertex shader in C++?

To write a vertex shader, you'll typically use GLSL. Here's a simple example:

#version 330 core
layout(location = 0) in vec3 position;

void main() {
    gl_Position = vec4(position, 1.0);
}

What is the role of vertex shaders in rendering?

Vertex shaders are crucial for transforming vertex positions, applying transformations, and passing data to the next stage in the pipeline.

Can vertex shaders handle lighting calculations?

Yes, vertex shaders can perform basic lighting calculations, but more complex lighting is usually handled in fragment shaders.