graphical kernel system

graphical kernel system [¦graf·i·kəl ′kər·nəl ‚sis·təm]

(computer science)

A standard system and language for creating two- and three-dimensional master graphics images on many types of display devices. Abbreviated GKS.

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(graphics, standard)

Graphical Kernel System - (GKS) The widely recognised standard ANSI X3.124 for graphical input/output. GKS is worked on by the ISO/IEC group JTC1/SC24. It provides applications programmers with standard methods of creating, manipulating, and displaying or printing computer graphics on different types of computer graphics output devices. It provides an abstraction to save programmers from dealing with the detailed capabilities and interfaces of specific hardware. GKS defines a basic two-dimensional graphics system with: uniform input and output primitives; a uniform interface to and from a GKS metafile for storing and transferring graphics information. It supports a wide range of graphics output devices including such as printers, plotters, vector graphics devices, storage tubes, refresh displays, raster displays, and microfilm recorders.