After reading up on OpenGL, I’m a bit confused as to the versions of the API. OK, so it seems that v1.5 is the most recent released version (one that includes pixel shading). But on 3dlabs web site, they say that pixel shading will come in v2.0 of Open GL…? Confusion mode on… so is OpenGL 1.5 and 2.0 the same thing? When is OpenGL 2.0 coming out?
AFAIK OpenGL 1.5 spec has not been released yet. So the most recent version for now is 1.4. 1.5 should be released shortly (probably at Siggraph, which began yesterday).
OpenGL 2.0 is (unfortunately) quite far from being released. It’s still just a proposal.
Shaders won’t be integrated in 1.5 core. They will stay as ARB extensions. This should not be a concern for you. ARB_fragment_program is supported by Radeon 9500 and up, and GF FX 5200 and up.
That is exactly why I get confused about 2.0.
I think on 3d LAbs it says that OpenGL langauge was approved by ARB and it will be in 1.5. Others say that OpenGL shading language has not yet been approved and that it will be in 2.0
The GL shading language (glslang for short) has been approved by ARB, but as an extension. As long as it will remain an extension, OpenGL2 will not be there.