OpenAL
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OpenAL is a cross-platform audio API, mostly used in computer games, designed for effecient rendering of multichannel three dimensional positional audio. Its coding style and conventions deliberately closely resemble that of OpenGL.
The API is available on the following platforms: Macintosh OS 8/9, Macintosh OS X, Linux (both OSS and ALSA backends), BSD, Solaris, Irix, Windows, Sony Playstation 2, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo GameCube.
Unlike the OpenGL specification the OpenAL specification includes two subsections of the API; The core API consisting of the actual OpenAL function calls, and the ALC API used to manage rendering contexts, resource usage and locking in a cross platform manner.
In order to provide additional functionality in the future OpenAL utilises an extension mechanism. Individual vendors are thereby able to include their own extensions into distributions of OpenAL, commonly for the purpose of exposing additional functionality on their proprietary hardware. Extensions can be promoted to ARB status, indicating a standard extension which will be maintained for backwards compatibility. ARB extensions have the prospect of being added to the core API after a period of time.
The following games make use of OpenAL: Doom 3, Unreal 2, Unreal Tournament 2003, Unreal Tournament 2004, Jedi Knight 2, Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, Postal 2, America's Army: Operations, Hitman 2, Freedom Fighters, Psychonauts.
External links
- Official Site (http://www.openal.org/)
- DevMaster.net OpenAL Tutorials (http://www.devmaster.net/articles.php?catID=6)