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Immediate mode (computer graphics)
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<p>Immediate mode is an <a href="/facts/Application_programming_interface/GMlN4vUr">API design pattern</a> in computer graphics libraries, in which </p> <ul><li>the <a href="/facts/Client_(computing)/u0wlVsWI">client</a> calls directly cause <a href="/facts/Rendering_(computer_graphics)/YYxfnmAq">rendering</a> of graphics objects to the display, or in which</li> <li>the data to describe <a href="/facts/Rendering_primitive/GfIomenN">rendering primitives</a> is inserted <a href="/facts/Film_frame/27Uqo8WN">frame</a> by frame directly from the <a href="/facts/Client_(computing)/u0wlVsWI">client</a> into a <a href="/facts/Command_list/GfIomenN">command list</a> (in the case of <i>immediate mode primitive rendering</i>),</li></ul> <p>without the use of extensive indirection – thus<i> immediate </i>– to retained resources. It does not preclude the use of <a href="/facts/Multiple_buffering/nUvIXzoF">double-buffering</a>. </p><p><a href="/facts/Retained_mode/1tetU8sg">Retained mode</a> is an alternative approach. Historically, retained mode has been the dominant style in <a href="/facts/Graphical_user_interface/wBlQFWDP">GUI</a> libraries; however, both can coexist in the same library and are not necessarily exclusive in practice. </p>