The Evolution of the X Server Architecture

Table of contents

The Evolution of the X Server Architecture

Introduction

Talk Outline

A Brief History of X

The Origins of X

The Development of X11

How X11 was Designed

New Ideas in X11

Original X Server Architecture

DDX

DDX/MI

Monochrome Framebuffer Code

Color Framebuffer Code

Early Architectural Changes

Impact of DIX and MI Architecture

New Abstractions

Reducing Memory Usage

Performance Measuring Tools

Locates Performance Problems

VMS X Server Architecture

Overengineered Rendering Code

CFB “Architecture" in R4

The Unisoft Test Suite

The Dark Ages

A Renaissance

New Challenges for X

Original Hardware Characteristics

Modern Hardware Characteristics

“Infinite" CPU Performance

New Framebuffer Code

Graphics Cards are All Alike

New XAA Architecture

New Rendering Model

X on Handhelds

Conclusion

Author: Keith Packard

E-mail: keithp@suse.com

Homepage: http://clueserver.org/~keithp

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