# Shader Module Compilation

ANGLE converts application shaders into Vulkan [VkShaderModules][VkShaderModule] through a series
of steps:

1. **ANGLE Internal Translation**: The initial calls to `glCompileShader` are passed to the [ANGLE
shader translator][translator]. The translator compiles application shaders into Vulkan-compatible
GLSL. Vulkan-compatible GLSL matches the [GL_KHR_vulkan_glsl][GL_KHR_vulkan_glsl] extension spec
with some additional workarounds and emulation. We emulate OpenGL's different depth range, viewport
y flipping, default uniforms, and OpenGL
[line segment rasterization](OpenGLLineSegmentRasterization.md). For more info see
[TranslatorVulkan.cpp][TranslatorVulkan.cpp]. After initial compilation the shaders are not
complete. The translator initially assigns resources and in/out variables arbitrary descriptor set,
binding and location indices. The correct values are determined at link time. For the sake of
transform feedback, some markers are left in the shader for link-time substitution.

  The translator outputs some feature code conditional to Vulkan specialization constants, which are
resolved at draw-time. For example,
[Bresenham line rasterization](OpenGLLineSegmentRasterization.md) emulation.

1. **Link-Time Compilation and Transformation**: During a call to `glLinkProgram` the Vulkan
back-end can know the necessary locations and properties to write to connect the shader stage
interfaces. We get the completed shader source using ANGLE's
[GlslangWrapperVk][GlslangWrapperVk.cpp] helper class. At this time, we use Khronos'
[glslang][glslang] to convert the Vulkan-compatible GLSL into SPIR-V. A transformation pass is done
on the generated SPIR-V to update the arbitrary descriptor set, binding and location indices set in
step 1. Additionally, component and various transform feedback decorations are added and inactive
varyings are removed from the shader interface. We currently don't generate `VkShaderModules` at
this time, but that could be a future optimization.

1. **Draw-time Pipeline Creation**: Once the application records a draw call, the SPIR-V is compiled
into `VkShaderModule`s. The appropriate specialization constants are then resolved and the
`VkPipeline` object is created.  Note that we currently don't use [SPIRV-Tools][SPIRV-Tools] to
perform any SPIR-V optimization. This could be something to improve on in the future.

See the below diagram for a high-level view of the shader translation flow:

<!-- Generated from https://bramp.github.io/js-sequence-diagrams/
     Note: remove whitespace in - -> arrows.
participant App
participant "ANGLE Front-end"
participant "Vulkan Back-end"
participant "ANGLE Translator"
participant "GlslangWrapperVk"
participant "Glslang"

App->"ANGLE Front-end": glCompileShader (VS)
"ANGLE Front-end"->"Vulkan Back-end": ShaderVk::compile
"Vulkan Back-end"->"ANGLE Translator": sh::Compile
"ANGLE Translator"- ->"ANGLE Front-end": return Vulkan-compatible GLSL

Note right of "ANGLE Front-end": Source is using bogus\nVulkan qualifiers to be\ncorrected at link time.

Note right of App: Same for FS, GS, etc...

App->"ANGLE Front-end": glCreateProgram (...)
App->"ANGLE Front-end": glAttachShader (...)
App->"ANGLE Front-end": glLinkProgram
"ANGLE Front-end"->"Vulkan Back-end": ProgramVk::link

Note right of "Vulkan Back-end": ProgramVk inits uniforms,\nlayouts, and descriptors.

"Vulkan Back-end"->GlslangWrapperVk: GlslangWrapperVk::GetShaderSpirvCode
GlslangWrapperVk->Glslang: GlslangToSpv
Glslang- ->GlslangWrapperVk: Return SPIR-V

Note right of GlslangWrapperVk: Transform SPIR-V

GlslangWrapperVk- ->"Vulkan Back-end": return transformed SPIR-V
"Vulkan Back-end"- ->"ANGLE Front-end": return success

Note right of App: App execution continues...

App->"ANGLE Front-end": glDrawArrays (any draw)
"ANGLE Front-end"->"Vulkan Back-end": ContextVk::drawArrays

Note right of "Vulkan Back-end": We init VkShaderModules\nand VkPipeline then\nrecord the draw.

"Vulkan Back-end"- ->"ANGLE Front-end": return success
-->

![Vulkan Shader Translation Flow](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/google/angle/master/src/libANGLE/renderer/vulkan/doc/img/VulkanShaderTranslation.svg?sanitize=true)

[GL_KHR_vulkan_glsl]: https://github.com/KhronosGroup/GLSL/blob/master/extensions/khr/GL_KHR_vulkan_glsl.txt
[glslang]: https://github.com/KhronosGroup/glslang
[GlslangWrapperVk.cpp]: https://chromium.googlesource.com/angle/angle/+/refs/heads/master/src/libANGLE/renderer/vulkan/GlslangWrapperVk.cpp
[SPIRV-Tools]: https://github.com/KhronosGroup/SPIRV-Tools
[translator]: https://chromium.googlesource.com/angle/angle/+/refs/heads/master/src/compiler/translator/
[TranslatorVulkan.cpp]: https://chromium.googlesource.com/angle/angle/+/refs/heads/master/src/compiler/translator/TranslatorVulkan.cpp
[VkShaderModule]: https://www.khronos.org/registry/vulkan/specs/1.1-extensions/man/html/VkShaderModule.html