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package java.awt.image;

import java.awt.BufferCapabilities;
import java.awt.Graphics;
import java.awt.Image;

The BufferStrategy class represents the mechanism with which to organize complex memory on a particular Canvas or Window. Hardware and software limitations determine whether and how a particular buffer strategy can be implemented. These limitations are detectable through the capabilities of the GraphicsConfiguration used when creating the Canvas or Window.

It is worth noting that the terms buffer and surface are meant to be synonymous: an area of contiguous memory, either in video device memory or in system memory.

There are several types of complex buffer strategies, including sequential ring buffering and blit buffering. Sequential ring buffering (i.e., double or triple buffering) is the most common; an application draws to a single back buffer and then moves the contents to the front (display) in a single step, either by copying the data or moving the video pointer. Moving the video pointer exchanges the buffers so that the first buffer drawn becomes the front buffer, or what is currently displayed on the device; this is called page flipping.

Alternatively, the contents of the back buffer can be copied, or blitted forward in a chain instead of moving the video pointer.


Double buffering:
                   ***********         ***********
                   *         * ------> *         *
[To display] <---- * Front B *   Show  * Back B. * <---- Rendering
                   *         * <------ *         *
                   ***********         ***********
Triple buffering:
[To      ***********         ***********        ***********
display] *         * --------+---------+------> *         *
   <---- * Front B *   Show  * Mid. B. *        * Back B. * <---- Rendering
         *         * <------ *         * <----- *         *
         ***********         ***********        ***********

Here is an example of how buffer strategies can be created and used:


// Check the capabilities of the GraphicsConfiguration
...
// Create our component
Window w = new Window(gc);
// Show our window
w.setVisible(true);
// Create a general double-buffering strategy
w.createBufferStrategy(2);
BufferStrategy strategy = w.getBufferStrategy();
// Main loop
while (!done) {
    // Prepare for rendering the next frame
    // ...
    // Render single frame
    do {
        // The following loop ensures that the contents of the drawing buffer
        // are consistent in case the underlying surface was recreated
        do {
            // Get a new graphics context every time through the loop
            // to make sure the strategy is validated
            Graphics graphics = strategy.getDrawGraphics();
            // Render to graphics
            // ...
            // Dispose the graphics
            graphics.dispose();
            // Repeat the rendering if the drawing buffer contents
            // were restored
        } while (strategy.contentsRestored());
        // Display the buffer
        strategy.show();
        // Repeat the rendering if the drawing buffer was lost
    } while (strategy.contentsLost());
}
// Dispose the window
w.setVisible(false);
w.dispose();
Author:Michael Martak
See Also:
Since:1.4
/** * The <code>BufferStrategy</code> class represents the mechanism with which * to organize complex memory on a particular <code>Canvas</code> or * <code>Window</code>. Hardware and software limitations determine whether and * how a particular buffer strategy can be implemented. These limitations * are detectable through the capabilities of the * <code>GraphicsConfiguration</code> used when creating the * <code>Canvas</code> or <code>Window</code>. * <p> * It is worth noting that the terms <i>buffer</i> and <i>surface</i> are meant * to be synonymous: an area of contiguous memory, either in video device * memory or in system memory. * <p> * There are several types of complex buffer strategies, including * sequential ring buffering and blit buffering. * Sequential ring buffering (i.e., double or triple * buffering) is the most common; an application draws to a single <i>back * buffer</i> and then moves the contents to the front (display) in a single * step, either by copying the data or moving the video pointer. * Moving the video pointer exchanges the buffers so that the first buffer * drawn becomes the <i>front buffer</i>, or what is currently displayed on the * device; this is called <i>page flipping</i>. * <p> * Alternatively, the contents of the back buffer can be copied, or * <i>blitted</i> forward in a chain instead of moving the video pointer. * <pre>{@code * Double buffering: * * *********** *********** * * * ------> * * * [To display] <---- * Front B * Show * Back B. * <---- Rendering * * * <------ * * * *********** *********** * * Triple buffering: * * [To *********** *********** *********** * display] * * --------+---------+------> * * * <---- * Front B * Show * Mid. B. * * Back B. * <---- Rendering * * * <------ * * <----- * * * *********** *********** *********** * * }</pre> * <p> * Here is an example of how buffer strategies can be created and used: * <pre><code> * * // Check the capabilities of the GraphicsConfiguration * ... * * // Create our component * Window w = new Window(gc); * * // Show our window * w.setVisible(true); * * // Create a general double-buffering strategy * w.createBufferStrategy(2); * BufferStrategy strategy = w.getBufferStrategy(); * * // Main loop * while (!done) { * // Prepare for rendering the next frame * // ... * * // Render single frame * do { * // The following loop ensures that the contents of the drawing buffer * // are consistent in case the underlying surface was recreated * do { * // Get a new graphics context every time through the loop * // to make sure the strategy is validated * Graphics graphics = strategy.getDrawGraphics(); * * // Render to graphics * // ... * * // Dispose the graphics * graphics.dispose(); * * // Repeat the rendering if the drawing buffer contents * // were restored * } while (strategy.contentsRestored()); * * // Display the buffer * strategy.show(); * * // Repeat the rendering if the drawing buffer was lost * } while (strategy.contentsLost()); * } * * // Dispose the window * w.setVisible(false); * w.dispose(); * </code></pre> * * @see java.awt.Window * @see java.awt.Canvas * @see java.awt.GraphicsConfiguration * @see VolatileImage * @author Michael Martak * @since 1.4 */
public abstract class BufferStrategy {
Returns the BufferCapabilities for this BufferStrategy.
Returns:the buffering capabilities of this strategy
/** * Returns the <code>BufferCapabilities</code> for this * <code>BufferStrategy</code>. * * @return the buffering capabilities of this strategy */
public abstract BufferCapabilities getCapabilities();
Creates a graphics context for the drawing buffer. This method may not be synchronized for performance reasons; use of this method by multiple threads should be handled at the application level. Disposal of the graphics object obtained must be handled by the application.
Returns:a graphics context for the drawing buffer
/** * Creates a graphics context for the drawing buffer. This method may not * be synchronized for performance reasons; use of this method by multiple * threads should be handled at the application level. Disposal of the * graphics object obtained must be handled by the application. * * @return a graphics context for the drawing buffer */
public abstract Graphics getDrawGraphics();
Returns whether the drawing buffer was lost since the last call to getDrawGraphics. Since the buffers in a buffer strategy are usually type VolatileImage, they may become lost. For a discussion on lost buffers, see VolatileImage.
See Also:
Returns:Whether or not the drawing buffer was lost since the last call to getDrawGraphics.
/** * Returns whether the drawing buffer was lost since the last call to * <code>getDrawGraphics</code>. Since the buffers in a buffer strategy * are usually type <code>VolatileImage</code>, they may become lost. * For a discussion on lost buffers, see <code>VolatileImage</code>. * * @return Whether or not the drawing buffer was lost since the last call * to <code>getDrawGraphics</code>. * @see java.awt.image.VolatileImage */
public abstract boolean contentsLost();
Returns whether the drawing buffer was recently restored from a lost state and reinitialized to the default background color (white). Since the buffers in a buffer strategy are usually type VolatileImage, they may become lost. If a surface has been recently restored from a lost state since the last call to getDrawGraphics, it may require repainting. For a discussion on lost buffers, see VolatileImage.
See Also:
Returns:Whether or not the drawing buffer was restored since the last call to getDrawGraphics.
/** * Returns whether the drawing buffer was recently restored from a lost * state and reinitialized to the default background color (white). * Since the buffers in a buffer strategy are usually type * <code>VolatileImage</code>, they may become lost. If a surface has * been recently restored from a lost state since the last call to * <code>getDrawGraphics</code>, it may require repainting. * For a discussion on lost buffers, see <code>VolatileImage</code>. * * @return Whether or not the drawing buffer was restored since the last * call to <code>getDrawGraphics</code>. * @see java.awt.image.VolatileImage */
public abstract boolean contentsRestored();
Makes the next available buffer visible by either copying the memory (blitting) or changing the display pointer (flipping).
/** * Makes the next available buffer visible by either copying the memory * (blitting) or changing the display pointer (flipping). */
public abstract void show();
Releases system resources currently consumed by this BufferStrategy and removes it from the associated Component. After invoking this method, getBufferStrategy will return null. Trying to use a BufferStrategy after it has been disposed will result in undefined behavior.
See Also:
Since:1.6
/** * Releases system resources currently consumed by this * <code>BufferStrategy</code> and * removes it from the associated Component. After invoking this * method, <code>getBufferStrategy</code> will return null. Trying * to use a <code>BufferStrategy</code> after it has been disposed will * result in undefined behavior. * * @see java.awt.Window#createBufferStrategy * @see java.awt.Canvas#createBufferStrategy * @see java.awt.Window#getBufferStrategy * @see java.awt.Canvas#getBufferStrategy * @since 1.6 */
public void dispose() { } }