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Physics Abstraction Layer
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<p>The Physics Abstraction Layer (PAL) is an <a href="/facts/Open-source_software/HzTaB8E9">open-source</a> <a href="/facts/Cross-platform/16zqdvNR">cross-platform</a> <a href="/facts/Physical_simulation/X8uaxJ4R">physical simulation</a> <a href="/facts/API/GMlN4vUr">API</a> abstraction system. It is similar to a <a href="/facts/Physics_engine/lAsEdSA4">physics engine</a> <a href="/facts/Wrapper_pattern/jbLgy7ct">wrapper</a>, however it is far more flexible providing extended abilities. PAL is free software, released under the BSD license. </p><p>PAL is a high-level interface for low-level physics engines used in games, simulation systems, and other 3D applications. It supports a number of <a href="/facts/Dynamical_simulation/X8uaxJ4R">dynamic simulation</a> methodologies, including <a href="/facts/Rigid_body_dynamics/ajbkweF2">rigid body</a>, <a href="/facts/Computational_fluid_dynamics/zuWdtNJp">liquids</a>, <a href="/facts/Soft_body_dynamics/oGunDtW0">soft body</a>, <a href="/facts/Ragdoll_physics/mNpouHhK">ragdoll</a>, and <a href="/facts/Vehicle_dynamics/qu2g6Eek">vehicle dynamics</a>. PAL features a simple <a href="/facts/C%2B%2B/Et0F2qn9">C++</a> <a href="/facts/Application_programming_interface/GMlN4vUr">API</a> and intuitive objects (e.g. <a href="/facts/Rigid_body/THezBlq2">Solids</a>, <a href="/facts/Multibody_system/u3yeqc8a">Joints</a>, <a href="/facts/Actuator/mF9qVJJR">Actuators</a>, <a href="/facts/Sensor/RN8SXbjs">Sensors</a>, and <a href="/facts/Friction/d0108Rpu">Materials</a>). It also features <a href="/facts/COLLADA/SEslfjPj">COLLADA</a>, <a href="/facts/Scythe_Physics_Editor/QlC7VoRF">Scythe Physics Editor</a>, and <a href="/facts/Extensible_Markup_Language/clNgUfWk">XML</a>-based file storage. </p><p>The Physics Abstraction Layer provides a number of benefits over directly using a physics engine: </p> <ul><li>Flexibility – It allows developers to switch between different <a href="/facts/Physics_engines/lAsEdSA4">physics engines</a> to see which engine provides their needs, as well as quickly testing a new engine.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Porting/7s6tFs8B">Portable</a> – Developers are able to use the physics engine which provides the best performance for different platforms, and are able to write platform independent code.</li> <li>Security – If a <a href="/facts/Middleware/HobNosz9">middleware</a> provider is acquired by another company or development is discontinued, developers can switch engines.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Scalability/jh7JomPa">Scalable</a> – The abstraction layer allows developers to run their code on handheld <a href="/facts/Video_game_console/K72D1NSS">console</a> platforms up to supercomputers.</li> <li>Ease of use – Implementation details of the physics engine are abstracted, providing a cleaner interface to the developer.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Benchmark_(computing)/XSS42cRe">Benchmarking</a> – Researchers can directly compare the performance of various <a href="/facts/Dynamical_simulation/X8uaxJ4R">dynamic simulations</a> systems.</li></ul> <p>PAL is designed with a <a href="/facts/Plug-in_(computing)/351Du3Wu">pluggable</a> <a href="/facts/Abstract_Factory_pattern/laLQhYge">abstract factory</a> allowing code to be written and compiled once and allowing runtime selection of different <a href="/facts/Physics_engine/lAsEdSA4">physics engines</a>, as well as feature upgrades. </p>