The role and reality of graphics standards (Panel)

Abstract

Graphics standards are formally sanctioned guidelines for graphics programming. Just as ANSI standards provide FORTRAN programmers with a common ground among compilers, the role of graphics standards is to define a set of common procedures or subroutines for developing graphics applications. The primary objectives underlying graphics standards are program portability and a common methodology for application program development. Graphic standards are clearly desirable and efforts to bring them about are well underway. Nevertheless, the role of graphics standards must be matched with the reality of software development environments. A common problem faced by all standards committees is the very long lead time required to arrive at consensus. Most standards groups are staffed by volunteers, chartered to develop standards models around generally-accepted current professional practices. Often, this is a time-consuming process relying on compromise and diplomacy and hampered by long intervals between meetings. As a result, standards inevitably lag behind the industry, where competitive hardware vendors play leapfrog with one another, pushing the state of the art. Much of the concern surrounding standards implementations stems from the low level of standards literacy in the graphics user community. Beyond a vague understanding of functionality, most graphics software shoppers have little understanding on the different levels of standards, how to measure a good implementation, and methods of programming efficiently using a graphics standards methodology. As a result, standards-based packages face the difficult challenge of balancing the theoretical world of standards with the down to-earth needs of application developers working against deadlines. This session will measure the several standards proposals now in the ANSI pipeline against the requirements and literacy level of the buying public. The evolution of a standard through ANSI and the implications of certification procedures will be presented and discussed. The problems of implementing a graphics standard will also be discussed, along with the general buying criteria to follow when shopping for standards-based graphics software.