Definition of "shader" [shad•er]

• One who, or that which, shades. (noun)
• A set of software instructions used to calculate rendering effects on graphics hardware. (noun)

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• "The term shader model, or pixel shader version can be used to describe GPU hardware generations correctly and/or in an API neutral fashion."
• "The question of how to handle that is an interesting one, because just simple emission of geometry via a shader is a very desirable feature (for example path rendering in OpenVG would profit from that)."
• "The X direction in OpenGL and in the shader are the same, but the Y and Z are not."