Vulkan-Docs/chapters/interfaces.txt

// Copyright (c) 2015-2018 Khronos Group. This work is licensed under a
// Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License; see
// http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

[[interfaces]]
= Shader Interfaces

When a pipeline is created, the set of shaders specified in the
corresponding stext:Vk*PipelineCreateInfo structure are implicitly linked at
a number of different interfaces.

  * <<interfaces-iointerfaces,Shader Input and Output Interface>>
  * <<interfaces-vertexinput,Vertex Input Interface>>
  * <<interfaces-fragmentoutput,Fragment Output Interface>>
  * <<interfaces-inputattachment,Fragment Input Attachment Interface>>
  * <<interfaces-resources,Shader Resource Interface>>

Interface definitions make use of the following SPIR-V decorations:

  * code:DescriptorSet and code:Binding
  * code:Location, code:Component, and code:Index
  * code:Flat, code:NoPerspective, code:Centroid, and code:Sample
  * code:Block and code:BufferBlock
  * code:InputAttachmentIndex
  * code:Offset, code:ArrayStride, and code:MatrixStride
  * code:BuiltIn
ifdef::VK_NV_geometry_shader_passthrough[]
  * <<geometry-passthrough-passthrough,code:PassthroughNV>>
endif::VK_NV_geometry_shader_passthrough[]


This specification describes valid uses for Vulkan of these decorations.
Any other use of one of these decorations is invalid.

[[interfaces-iointerfaces]]
== Shader Input and Output Interfaces

When multiple stages are present in a pipeline, the outputs of one stage
form an interface with the inputs of the next stage.
When such an interface involves a shader, shader outputs are matched against
the inputs of the next stage, and shader inputs are matched against the
outputs of the previous stage.

There are two classes of variables that can: be matched between shader
stages, built-in variables and user-defined variables.
Each class has a different set of matching criteria.
Generally, when non-shader stages are between shader stages, the
user-defined variables, and most built-in variables, form an interface
between the shader stages.

The variables forming the input or output _interfaces_ are listed as
operands to the code:OpEntryPoint instruction and are declared with the
code:Input or code:Output storage classes, respectively, in the SPIR-V
module.

code:Output variables of a shader stage have undefined: values until the
shader writes to them or uses the code:Initializer operand when declaring
the variable.


[[interfaces-iointerfaces-builtin]]
=== Built-in Interface Block

Shader <<interfaces-builtin-variables,built-in>> variables meeting the
following requirements define the _built-in interface block_.
They must:

  * be explicitly declared (there are no implicit built-ins),
  * be identified with a code:BuiltIn decoration,
  * form object types as described in the
    <<interfaces-builtin-variables,Built-in Variables>> section, and
  * be declared in a block whose top-level members are the built-ins.

Built-ins only participate in interface matching if they are declared in
such a block.
They must: not have any code:Location or code:Component decorations.

There must: be no more than one built-in interface block per shader per
interface.


[[interfaces-iointerfaces-user]]
=== User-defined Variable Interface

The remaining variables listed by code:OpEntryPoint with the code:Input or
code:Output storage class form the _user-defined variable interface_.
ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
By default such variables have a type with a width of 32 or 64.
If an implementation supports
<<features-features-storageInputOutput16,storageInputOutput16>>,
user-defined variables in the code:Input and code:Output storage classes
can: also have types with a width of 16.
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
These variables must: be identified with a code:Location decoration and can:
also be identified with a code:Component decoration.


[[interfaces-iointerfaces-matching]]
=== Interface Matching

A user-defined output variable is considered to match an input variable in
the subsequent stage if the two variables are declared with the same
code:Location and code:Component decoration and match in type and
decoration, except that <<shaders-interpolation-decorations,interpolation
decorations>> are not required: to match.
ifdef::VK_EXT_transform_feedback[]
code:XfbBuffer, code:XfbStride, code:Offset, and code:Stream are also not
required to match for the purposes of interface matching.
endif::VK_EXT_transform_feedback[]
For the purposes of interface matching, variables declared without a
code:Component decoration are considered to have a code:Component decoration
of zero.

ifdef::VK_NV_geometry_shader_passthrough[]
[NOTE]
.Note
====
Matching rules for _passthrough geometry shaders_ are slightly different and
are described in the <<geometry-passthrough-interface,Passthrough Interface
Matching>> section.
====

endif::VK_NV_geometry_shader_passthrough[]
Variables or block members declared as structures are considered to match in
type if and only if the structure members match in type, decoration, number,
and declaration order.
Variables or block members declared as arrays are considered to match in
type only if both declarations specify the same element type and size.


Tessellation control
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
and mesh
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
shader per-vertex output variables and blocks, and tessellation control,
tessellation evaluation, and geometry shader per-vertex input variables and
blocks are required to be declared as arrays, with each element representing
input or output values for a single vertex of a multi-vertex primitive.
For the purposes of interface matching, the outermost array dimension of
such variables and blocks is ignored.

At an interface between two non-fragment shader stages, the built-in
interface block must: match exactly, as described
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
above, except for per-view outputs as described in
<<mesh-output-perview,Mesh Shader Per-View Outputs>>.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
ifndef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
above.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
At an interface involving the fragment shader inputs, the presence or
absence of any built-in output does not affect the interface matching.

At an interface between two shader stages, the user-defined variable
interface must: match exactly, as described above.

Any input value to a shader stage is well-defined as long as the preceding
stages writes to a matching output, as described above.

Additionally, scalar and vector inputs are well-defined if there is a
corresponding output satisfying all of the following conditions:

  * the input and output match exactly in decoration,
  * the output is a vector with the same basic type and has at least as many
    components as the input, and
  * the common component type of the input and output is
ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
    16-bit integer or floating-point, or
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
    32-bit integer or floating-point (64-bit component types are excluded).

In this case, the components of the input will be taken from the first
components of the output, and any extra components of the output will be
ignored.


[[interfaces-iointerfaces-locations]]
=== Location Assignment

This section describes how many locations are consumed by a given type.
As mentioned above, geometry shader inputs, tessellation control shader
inputs and outputs, and tessellation evaluation inputs all have an
additional level of arrayness relative to other shader inputs and outputs.
This outer array level is removed from the type before considering how many
locations the type consumes.

The code:Location value specifies an interface slot comprised of a 32-bit
four-component vector conveyed between stages.
The code:Component specifies
<<interfaces-iointerfaces-components,components>> within these vector
locations.
Only types with widths of
ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
16,
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
32 or 64 are supported in shader interfaces.

Inputs and outputs of the following types consume a single interface
location:

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
  * 16-bit scalar and vector types, and
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
  * 32-bit scalar and vector types, and
  * 64-bit scalar and 2-component vector types.

64-bit three- and four-component vectors consume two consecutive locations.

If a declared input or output is an array of size _n_ and each element takes
_m_ locations, it will be assigned _m_ {times} _n_ consecutive locations
starting with the location specified.

If the declared input or output is an _n_ {times} _m_
ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
16-,
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
32- or 64-bit matrix, it will be assigned multiple locations starting with
the location specified.
The number of locations assigned for each matrix will be the same as for an
_n_-element array of _m_-component vectors.

The layout of a structure type used as an code:Input or code:Output depends
on whether it is also a code:Block (i.e. has a code:Block decoration).

If it is a not a code:Block, then the structure type must: have a
code:Location decoration.
Its members are assigned consecutive locations in their declaration order,
with the first member assigned to the location specified for the structure
type.
The members, and their nested types, must: not themselves have code:Location
decorations.

If the structure type is a code:Block but without a code:Location, then each
of its members must: have a code:Location decoration.
If it is a code:Block with a code:Location decoration, then its members are
assigned consecutive locations in declaration order, starting from the first
member which is initially assigned the location specified for the
code:Block.
Any member with its own code:Location decoration is assigned that location.
Each remaining member is assigned the location after the immediately
preceding member in declaration order.

The locations consumed by block and structure members are determined by
applying the rules above in a depth-first traversal of the instantiated
members as though the structure or block member were declared as an input or
output variable of the same type.

Any two inputs listed as operands on the same code:OpEntryPoint must: not be
assigned the same location, either explicitly or implicitly.
Any two outputs listed as operands on the same code:OpEntryPoint must: not
be assigned the same location, either explicitly or implicitly.

The number of input and output locations available for a shader input or
output interface are limited, and dependent on the shader stage as described
in <<interfaces-iointerfaces-limits>>.
All variables in both the <<interfaces-builtin-variables,built-in interface
block>> and the <<interfaces-iointerfaces-user,user-defined variable
interface>> count against these limits.


[[interfaces-iointerfaces-limits]]
.Shader Input and Output Locations
[width="90%",cols="<6,<13",options="header"]
|====
| Shader Interface              | Locations Available
| vertex input                  | pname:maxVertexInputAttributes
| vertex output                 | pname:maxVertexOutputComponents / 4
| tessellation control input    | pname:maxTessellationControlPerVertexInputComponents / 4
| tessellation control output   | pname:maxTessellationControlPerVertexOutputComponents / 4
| tessellation evaluation input | pname:maxTessellationEvaluationInputComponents / 4
| tessellation evaluation output| pname:maxTessellationEvaluationOutputComponents / 4
| geometry input                | pname:maxGeometryInputComponents / 4
| geometry output               | pname:maxGeometryOutputComponents / 4
| fragment input                | pname:maxFragmentInputComponents / 4
| fragment output               | pname:maxFragmentOutputAttachments
|====


[[interfaces-iointerfaces-components]]
=== Component Assignment

The code:Component decoration allows the code:Location to be more finely
specified for scalars and vectors, down to the individual components within
a location that are consumed.
The components within a location are 0, 1, 2, and 3.
A variable or block member starting at component N will consume components
N, N+1, N+2, ...
up through its size.
ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
For 16-, and 32-bit types,
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
ifndef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
For single precision types,
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
it is invalid if this sequence of components gets larger than 3.
A scalar 64-bit type will consume two of these components in sequence, and a
two-component 64-bit vector type will consume all four components available
within a location.
A three- or four-component 64-bit vector type must: not specify a
code:Component decoration.
A three-component 64-bit vector type will consume all four components of the
first location and components 0 and 1 of the second location.
This leaves components 2 and 3 available for other component-qualified
declarations.

A scalar or two-component 64-bit data type must: not specify a
code:Component decoration of 1 or 3.
A code:Component decoration must: not be specified for any type that is not
a scalar or vector.


[[interfaces-vertexinput]]
== Vertex Input Interface

When the vertex stage is present in a pipeline, the vertex shader input
variables form an interface with the vertex input attributes.
The vertex shader input variables are matched by the code:Location and
code:Component decorations to the vertex input attributes specified in the
pname:pVertexInputState member of the slink:VkGraphicsPipelineCreateInfo
structure.

The vertex shader input variables listed by code:OpEntryPoint with the
code:Input storage class form the _vertex input interface_.
These variables must: be identified with a code:Location decoration and can:
also be identified with a code:Component decoration.

For the purposes of interface matching: variables declared without a
code:Component decoration are considered to have a code:Component decoration
of zero.
The number of available vertex input locations is given by the
pname:maxVertexInputAttributes member of the sname:VkPhysicalDeviceLimits
structure.

See <<fxvertex-attrib-location>> for details.

All vertex shader inputs declared as above must: have a corresponding
attribute and binding in the pipeline.


[[interfaces-fragmentoutput]]
== Fragment Output Interface

When the fragment stage is present in a pipeline, the fragment shader
outputs form an interface with the output attachments of the current
subpass.
The fragment shader output variables are matched by the code:Location and
code:Component decorations to the color attachments specified in the
pname:pColorAttachments array of the slink:VkSubpassDescription structure
that describes the subpass that the fragment shader is executed in.

The fragment shader output variables listed by code:OpEntryPoint with the
code:Output storage class form the _fragment output interface_.
These variables must: be identified with a code:Location decoration.
They can: also be identified with a code:Component decoration and/or an
code:Index decoration.
For the purposes of interface matching: variables declared without a
code:Component decoration are considered to have a code:Component decoration
of zero, and variables declared without an code:Index decoration are
considered to have an code:Index decoration of zero.

A fragment shader output variable identified with a code:Location decoration
of _i_ is directed to the color attachment indicated by
pname:pColorAttachments[_i_], after passing through the blending unit as
described in <<framebuffer-blending>>, if enabled.
Locations are consumed as described in
<<interfaces-iointerfaces-locations,Location Assignment>>.
The number of available fragment output locations is given by the
pname:maxFragmentOutputAttachments member of the
sname:VkPhysicalDeviceLimits structure.

Components of the output variables are assigned as described in
<<interfaces-iointerfaces-components,Component Assignment>>.
Output components identified as 0, 1, 2, and 3 will be directed to the R, G,
B, and A inputs to the blending unit, respectively, or to the output
attachment if blending is disabled.
If two variables are placed within the same location, they must: have the
same underlying type (floating-point or integer).
The input values to blending or color attachment writes are undefined: for
components which do not correspond to a fragment shader output.

Fragment outputs identified with an code:Index of zero are directed to the
first input of the blending unit associated with the corresponding
code:Location.
Outputs identified with an code:Index of one are directed to the second
input of the corresponding blending unit.

No _component aliasing_ of output variables is allowed, that is there must:
not be two output variables which have the same location, component, and
index, either explicitly declared or implied.

Output values written by a fragment shader must: be declared with either
code:OpTypeFloat or code:OpTypeInt, and a Width of 32.
ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
If pname:storageInputOutput16 is supported, output values written by a
fragment shader can: be also declared with either code:OpTypeFloat or
code:OpTypeInt and a Width of 16.
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_16bit_storage[]
Composites of these types are also permitted.
If the color attachment has a signed or unsigned normalized fixed-point
format, color values are assumed to be floating-point and are converted to
fixed-point as described in <<fundamentals-fpfixedconv>>; If the color
attachment has an integer format, color values are assumed to be integers
and converted to the bit-depth of the target.
Any value that cannot be represented in the attachment's format is
undefined:.
For any other attachment format no conversion is performed.
If the type of the values written by the fragment shader do not match the
format of the corresponding color attachment, the resulting values are
undefined: for those components.


[[interfaces-inputattachment]]
== Fragment Input Attachment Interface

When a fragment stage is present in a pipeline, the fragment shader subpass
inputs form an interface with the input attachments of the current subpass.
The fragment shader subpass input variables are matched by
code:InputAttachmentIndex decorations to the input attachments specified in
the pname:pInputAttachments array of the slink:VkSubpassDescription
structure that describes the subpass that the fragment shader is executed
in.

The fragment shader subpass input variables with the code:UniformConstant
storage class and a decoration of code:InputAttachmentIndex that are
statically used by code:OpEntryPoint form the _fragment input attachment
interface_.
These variables must: be declared with a type of code:OpTypeImage, a
code:Dim operand of code:SubpassData, and a code:Sampled operand of 2.

A subpass input variable identified with an code:InputAttachmentIndex
decoration of _i_ reads from the input attachment indicated by
pname:pInputAttachments[_i_] member of sname:VkSubpassDescription.
If the subpass input variable is declared as an array of size N, it consumes
N consecutive input attachments, starting with the index specified.
There must: not be more than one input variable with the same
code:InputAttachmentIndex whether explicitly declared or implied by an array
declaration.
The number of available input attachment indices is given by the
pname:maxPerStageDescriptorInputAttachments member of the
sname:VkPhysicalDeviceLimits structure.

Variables identified with the code:InputAttachmentIndex must: only be used
by a fragment stage.
The basic data type (floating-point, integer, unsigned integer) of the
subpass input must: match the basic format of the corresponding input
attachment, or the values of subpass loads from these variables are
undefined:.

See <<descriptorsets-inputattachment>> for more details.


[[interfaces-resources]]
== Shader Resource Interface

When a shader stage accesses buffer or image resources, as described in the
<<descriptorsets,Resource Descriptors>> section, the shader resource
variables must: be matched with the <<descriptorsets-pipelinelayout,pipeline
layout>> that is provided at pipeline creation time.

The set of shader resources that form the _shader resource interface_ for a
stage are the variables statically used by code:OpEntryPoint with the
storage class of code:Uniform, code:UniformConstant, or code:PushConstant.
For the fragment shader, this includes the <<interfaces-inputattachment,
fragment input attachment interface>>.

The shader resource interface consists of two sub-interfaces: the push
constant interface and the descriptor set interface.


[[interfaces-resources-pushconst]]
=== Push Constant Interface

The shader variables defined with a storage class of code:PushConstant that
are statically used by the shader entry points for the pipeline define the
_push constant interface_.
They must: be:

  * typed as code:OpTypeStruct,
  * identified with a code:Block decoration, and
  * laid out explicitly using the code:Offset, code:ArrayStride, and
    code:MatrixStride decorations as specified in
    <<interfaces-resources-layout,Offset and Stride Assignment>>.

There must: be no more than one push constant block statically used per
shader entry point.

Each statically used member of a push constant block must: be placed at an
code:Offset such that the entire member is entirely contained within the
slink:VkPushConstantRange for each code:OpEntryPoint that uses it, and the
pname:stageFlags for that range must: specify the appropriate
elink:VkShaderStageFlagBits for that stage.
The code:Offset decoration for any member of a push constant block must: not
cause the space required for that member to extend outside the range
[eq]#[0, pname:maxPushConstantsSize)#.

Any member of a push constant block that is declared as an array must: only
be accessed with _dynamically uniform_ indices.


[[interfaces-resources-descset]]
=== Descriptor Set Interface

The _descriptor set interface_ is comprised of the shader variables with the
storage class of code:Uniform or code:UniformConstant (including the
variables in the <<interfaces-inputattachment,fragment input attachment
interface>>) that are statically used by the shader entry points for the
pipeline.

These variables must: have code:DescriptorSet and code:Binding decorations
specified, which are assigned and matched with the
sname:VkDescriptorSetLayout objects in the pipeline layout as described in
<<interfaces-resources-setandbinding,DescriptorSet and Binding Assignment>>.

Variables identified with the code:UniformConstant storage class are used
only as handles to refer to opaque resources.
Such variables must: be typed as code:OpTypeImage, code:OpTypeSampler,
code:OpTypeSampledImage, or an array of one of these types.

The code:Sampled code:Type of an code:OpTypeImage declaration must: match
the same basic data type as the corresponding resource, or the values
obtained by reading or sampling from this image are undefined:.

The code:Image code:Format of an code:OpTypeImage declaration must: not be
*Unknown*, for variables which are used for code:OpImageRead,
code:OpImageSparseRead, or code:OpImageWrite operations, except under the
following conditions:

  * For code:OpImageWrite, if the pname:shaderStorageImageWriteWithoutFormat
    feature is enabled and the shader module declares the
    code:StorageImageWriteWithoutFormat capability.
  * For code:OpImageRead or code:OpImageSparseRead, if the
    pname:shaderStorageImageReadWithoutFormat feature is enabled and the
    shader module declares the code:StorageImageReadWithoutFormat
    capability.

The code:Image code:Format of an code:OpTypeImage declaration must: not be
*Unknown*, for variables which are used for code:OpAtomic* operations.

Variables identified with the code:Uniform storage class are used to access
transparent buffer backed resources.
Such variables must: be:

  * typed as code:OpTypeStruct, or an array of this type,
  * identified with a code:Block or code:BufferBlock decoration, and
  * laid out explicitly using the code:Offset, code:ArrayStride, and
    code:MatrixStride decorations as specified in
    <<interfaces-resources-layout,Offset and Stride Assignment>>.

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
Variables identified with the code:StorageBuffer storage class are used to
access transparent buffer backed resources.
Such variables must: be:

  * typed as code:OpTypeStruct, or an array of this type,
  * identified with a code:Block decoration, and
  * laid out explicitly using the code:Offset, code:ArrayStride, and
    code:MatrixStride decorations as specified in
    <<interfaces-resources-layout,Offset and Stride Assignment>>.
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]

ifndef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
The code:Offset decoration for any variable in a code:Block must: not cause
the space required for that variable to extend outside the range [eq]#[0,
pname:maxUniformBufferRange)#.
The code:Offset decoration for any variable in a code:BufferBlock must: not
cause the space required for that variable to extend outside the range
[eq]#[0, pname:maxStorageBufferRange)#.
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
The code:Offset decoration for any member of a code:Block-decorated variable
in the code:Uniform storage class must: not cause the space required for
that variable to extend outside the range [eq]#[0,
pname:maxUniformBufferRange)#.
The code:Offset decoration for any member of a code:Block-decorated variable
in the code:StorageBuffer storage class must: not cause the space required
for that variable to extend outside the range [eq]#[0,
pname:maxStorageBufferRange)#.
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]

ifdef::VK_EXT_inline_uniform_block[]
Variables identified with the code:Uniform storage class can: also be used
to access transparent descriptor set backed resources when the variable is
assigned to a descriptor set layout binding with a pname:descriptorType of
ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_INLINE_UNIFORM_BLOCK.
In this case the variable must: be typed as code:OpTypeStruct and cannot: be
aggregated into arrays of that type.
Further, the code:Offset decoration for any member of such a variable must:
not cause the space required for that variable to extend outside the range
[eq]#[0,maxInlineUniformBlockSize)#.
endif::VK_EXT_inline_uniform_block[]

Variables identified with a storage class of code:UniformConstant and a
decoration of code:InputAttachmentIndex must: be declared as described in
<<interfaces-inputattachment,Fragment Input Attachment Interface>>.

SPIR-V variables decorated with a descriptor set and binding that identify a
<<descriptorsets-combinedimagesampler, combined image sampler descriptor>>
can: have a type of code:OpTypeImage, code:OpTypeSampler (code:Sampled=1),
or code:OpTypeSampledImage.

Arrays of any of these types can: be indexed with constant integral
expressions.
The following features must: be enabled and capabilities must: be declared
in order to index such arrays with dynamically uniform or non-uniform
indices:

  * Storage images (except storage texel buffers and input attachments):
  ** Dynamically uniform: pname:shaderStorageImageArrayDynamicIndexing and
     code:StorageImageArrayDynamicIndexing
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
  ** Non-uniform: pname:shaderStorageImageArrayNonUniformIndexing and
     code:StorageImageArrayNonUniformIndexingEXT
  * Storage texel buffers:
  ** Dynamically uniform: pname:shaderStorageTexelBufferArrayDynamicIndexing
     and code:StorageTexelBufferArrayDynamicIndexingEXT
  ** Non-uniform: pname:shaderStorageTexelBufferArrayNonUniformIndexing and
     code:StorageTexelBufferArrayNonUniformIndexingEXT
  * Input attachments:
  ** Dynamically uniform: pname:shaderInputAttachmentArrayDynamicIndexing
     and code:InputAttachmentArrayDynamicIndexingEXT
  ** Non-uniform: pname:shaderInputAttachmentArrayNonUniformIndexing and
     code:InputAttachmentArrayNonUniformIndexingEXT
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
  * Sampled images (except uniform texel buffers):
  ** Dynamically uniform: pname:shaderSampledImageArrayDynamicIndexing and
     code:SampledImageArrayDynamicIndexing
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
  ** Non-uniform: pname:shaderSampledImageArrayNonUniformIndexing and
     code:SampledImageArrayNonUniformIndexingEXT
  * Uniform texel buffers:
  ** Dynamically uniform: pname:shaderUniformTexelBufferArrayDynamicIndexing
     and code:UniformTexelBufferArrayDynamicIndexingEXT
  ** Non-uniform: pname:shaderUniformTexelBufferArrayNonUniformIndexing and
     code:UniformTexelBufferArrayNonUniformIndexingEXT
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
  * Uniform buffers:
  ** Dynamically uniform: pname:shaderUniformBufferArrayDynamicIndexing and
     code:UniformBufferArrayDynamicIndexing
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
  ** Non-uniform: pname:shaderUniformBufferArrayNonUniformIndexing and
     code:UniformBufferArrayNonUniformIndexingEXT
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
  * Storage buffers:
  ** Dynamically uniform: pname:shaderStorageBufferArrayDynamicIndexing and
     code:StorageBufferArrayDynamicIndexing
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
  ** Non-uniform: pname:shaderStorageBufferArrayNonUniformIndexing and
     code:StorageBufferArrayNonUniformIndexingEXT
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]

ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
If an instruction loads from or stores to a resource (including atomics and
image instructions) and the resource descriptor being accessed is not
dynamically uniform, then the corresponding non-uniform indexing feature
must: be enabled and the capability must: be declared.
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
If an instruction loads from or stores to a resource (including atomics and
image instructions) and the resource descriptor being accessed is not
uniform, then the corresponding dynamic indexing
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
or non-uniform
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
feature must: be enabled and the capability must: be declared.

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_sampler_ycbcr_conversion[]
If sampler Y'C~B~C~R~ conversion is enabled, the combined image sampler
must: be indexed only by constant integral expressions when aggregated into
arrays in shader code, irrespective of the
pname:shaderSampledImageArrayDynamicIndexing feature.
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_sampler_ycbcr_conversion[]

[[interfaces-resources-correspondence]]
.Shader Resource and Descriptor Type Correspondence
[width="90%",cols="<1,<2",options="header"]
|====
| Resource type          | Descriptor Type
| sampler                | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_SAMPLER or
                           ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_COMBINED_IMAGE_SAMPLER
| sampled image          | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_SAMPLED_IMAGE or
                           ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_COMBINED_IMAGE_SAMPLER
| storage image          | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_STORAGE_IMAGE
| combined image sampler | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_COMBINED_IMAGE_SAMPLER
| uniform texel buffer   | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_UNIFORM_TEXEL_BUFFER
| storage texel buffer   | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_STORAGE_TEXEL_BUFFER
| uniform buffer         | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_UNIFORM_BUFFER or
                           ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_UNIFORM_BUFFER_DYNAMIC
| storage buffer         | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_STORAGE_BUFFER or
                           ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_STORAGE_BUFFER_DYNAMIC
| input attachment       | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_INPUT_ATTACHMENT
ifdef::VK_EXT_inline_uniform_block[]
| inline uniform block   | ename:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_INLINE_UNIFORM_BLOCK_EXT
endif::VK_EXT_inline_uniform_block[]
|====

[[interfaces-resources-storage-class-correspondence]]
.Shader Resource and Storage Class Correspondence
[width="100%",cols="<21%,<22%,<27%,<30%",options="header"]
|====
| Resource type   | Storage Class | Type | Decoration(s)^1^
| sampler
        | code:UniformConstant | code:OpTypeSampler |
| sampled image
        | code:UniformConstant | code:OpTypeImage (code:Sampled=1)|
| storage image
        | code:UniformConstant | code:OpTypeImage (code:Sampled=2) |
| combined image sampler
        | code:UniformConstant | code:OpTypeSampledImage +
                                 code:OpTypeImage (code:Sampled=1) +
                                 code:OpTypeSampler |
| uniform texel buffer
        | code:UniformConstant | code:OpTypeImage (code:Dim=code:Buffer, code:Sampled=1) |
| storage texel buffer
        | code:UniformConstant | code:OpTypeImage (code:Dim=code:Buffer, code:Sampled=2) |
| uniform buffer
        | code:Uniform         | code:OpTypeStruct
        | code:Block, code:Offset, (code:ArrayStride), (code:MatrixStride)
ifndef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
| storage buffer
        | code:Uniform         | code:OpTypeStruct
        | code:BufferBlock, code:Offset, (code:ArrayStride), (code:MatrixStride)
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
.2+<.^| storage buffer
        | code:Uniform         .2+<.^| code:OpTypeStruct
        | code:BufferBlock, code:Offset, (code:ArrayStride), (code:MatrixStride)
        | code:StorageBuffer | code:Block, code:Offset, (code:ArrayStride), (code:MatrixStride)
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
| input attachment
        | code:UniformConstant | code:OpTypeImage (code:Dim=code:SubpassData, code:Sampled=2)
        | code:InputAttachmentIndex
ifdef::VK_EXT_inline_uniform_block[]
| inline uniform block
        | code:Uniform | code:OpTypeStruct
        | code:Block, code:Offset, (code:ArrayStride), (code:MatrixStride)
endif::VK_EXT_inline_uniform_block[]
|====
1:: in addition to code:DescriptorSet and code:Binding


[[interfaces-resources-setandbinding]]
=== DescriptorSet and Binding Assignment

A variable decorated with a code:DescriptorSet decoration of [eq]#s# and a
code:Binding decoration of [eq]#b# indicates that this variable is
associated with the slink:VkDescriptorSetLayoutBinding that has a
pname:binding equal to [eq]#b# in pname:pSetLayouts[_s_] that was specified
in slink:VkPipelineLayoutCreateInfo.

code:DescriptorSet decoration values must: be between zero and
pname:maxBoundDescriptorSets minus one, inclusive.
code:Binding decoration values can: be any 32-bit unsigned integer value, as
described in <<descriptorsets-setlayout>>.
Each descriptor set has its own binding name space.

If the code:Binding decoration is used with an array, the entire array is
assigned that binding value.
The array must: be a single-dimensional array and size of the array must: be
no larger than the number of descriptors in the binding.
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
If the array is runtime-sized, then array elements greater than or equal to
the size of that binding in the bound descriptor set must: not be used.
If the array is runtime-sized, the pname:runtimeDescriptorArray feature
must: be enabled and the code:RuntimeDescriptorArrayEXT capability must: be
declared.
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
ifndef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
The array must: not be runtime-sized.
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
The index of each element of the array is referred to as the _arrayElement_.
For the purposes of interface matching and descriptor set
<<descriptorsets-updates,operations>>, if a resource variable is not an
array, it is treated as if it has an arrayElement of zero.

There is a limit on the number of resources of each type that can: be
accessed by a pipeline stage as shown in
<<interfaces-resources-limits,Shader Resource Limits>>.
The "`Resources Per Stage`" column gives the limit on the number each type
of resource that can: be statically used for an entry point in any given
stage in a pipeline.
The "`Resource Types`" column lists which resource types are counted against
the limit.
Some resource types count against multiple limits.

The pipeline layout may: include descriptor sets and bindings which are not
referenced by any variables statically used by the entry points for the
shader stages in the binding's pname:stageFlags.

However, if a variable assigned to a given code:DescriptorSet and
code:Binding is statically used by the entry point for a shader stage, the
pipeline layout must: contain a descriptor set layout binding in that
descriptor set layout and for that binding number, and that binding's
pname:stageFlags must: include the appropriate elink:VkShaderStageFlagBits
for that stage.
The variable must: be of a valid resource type determined by its SPIR-V type
and storage class, as defined in
<<interfaces-resources-storage-class-correspondence,Shader Resource and
Storage Class Correspondence>>.
The descriptor set layout binding must: be of a corresponding descriptor
type, as defined in <<interfaces-resources-correspondence,Shader Resource
and Descriptor Type Correspondence>>.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
There are no limits on the number of shader variables that can have
overlapping set and binding values in a shader; but which resources are
<<shaders-staticuse,statically used>> has an impact.
If any shader variable identifying a resource is
<<shaders-staticuse,statically used>> in a shader, then the underlying
descriptor bound at the declared set and binding must
<<interfaces-resources-correspondence,support the declared type in the
shader>> when the shader executes.

If multiple shader variables are declared with the same set and binding
values, and with the same underlying descriptor type, they can all be
statically used within the same shader.
However, accesses are not automatically synchronized, and code:Aliased
decorations should be used to avoid data hazards (see
https://www.khronos.org/registry/spir-v/specs/unified1/SPIRV.html#_a_id_aliasingsection_a_aliasing[section
2.18.2 Aliasing in the SPIR-V specification]).

If multiple shader variables with the same set and binding values are
declared in a single shader, but with different declared types, where any of
those are not supported by the relevant bound descriptor, that shader can
only be executed if the variables with the unsupported type are not
statically used.

A noteworthy example of using multiple statically-used shader variables
sharing the same descriptor set and binding values is a descriptor of type
code:VK_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE_COMBINED_IMAGE_SAMPLER that has multiple
corresponding shader variables in the code:UniformConstant storage class,
where some could be code:OpTypeImage, some could be code:OpTypeSampler
(code:Sampled=1), and some could be code:OpTypeSampledImage.
====

[[interfaces-resources-limits]]
.Shader Resource Limits
[width="80%",cols="<35,<23",options="header"]
|====
| Resources per Stage                   | Resource Types
.2+<.^| pname:maxPerStageDescriptorSamplers
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
or pname:maxPerStageDescriptorUpdateAfterBindSamplers
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
            | sampler           | combined image sampler
.3+<.^| pname:maxPerStageDescriptorSampledImages
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
or pname:maxPerStageDescriptorUpdateAfterBindSampledImages
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
            | sampled image     | combined image sampler | uniform texel buffer
.2+<.^| pname:maxPerStageDescriptorStorageImages
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
or pname:maxPerStageDescriptorUpdateAfterBindStorageImages
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
            | storage image     | storage texel buffer
.2+<.^| pname:maxPerStageDescriptorUniformBuffers
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
or pname:maxPerStageDescriptorUpdateAfterBindUniformBuffers
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
            | uniform buffer    | uniform buffer dynamic
.2+<.^| pname:maxPerStageDescriptorStorageBuffers
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
or pname:maxPerStageDescriptorUpdateAfterBindStorageBuffers
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
            | storage buffer    | storage buffer dynamic
| pname:maxPerStageDescriptorInputAttachments
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
or pname:maxPerStageDescriptorUpdateAfterBindInputAttachments
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
            | input attachment^1^
ifdef::VK_EXT_inline_uniform_block[]
| pname:maxPerStageDescriptorInlineUniformBlocks
ifdef::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
or pname:maxPerStageDescriptorUpdateAfterBindInlineUniformBlocks
endif::VK_EXT_descriptor_indexing[]
            | inline uniform block
endif::VK_EXT_inline_uniform_block[]
|====

1::
    Input attachments can: only be used in the fragment shader stage


[[interfaces-resources-layout]]
=== Offset and Stride Assignment

All variables with a storage class of code:PushConstant or code:Uniform
must: be explicitly laid out using the code:Offset, code:ArrayStride, and
code:MatrixStride decorations.
There are two different layouts requirements depending on the specific
resources.

[[interfaces-resources-layout-std140]]
*Standard Uniform Buffer Layout*

The _base alignment_ of the type of an code:OpTypeStruct member of is
defined recursively as follows:

  * A scalar of size [eq]#N# has a base alignment of [eq]#N#.
  * A two-component vector, with components of size [eq]#N#, has a base
    alignment of [eq]#2 N#.
  * A three- or four-component vector, with components of size [eq]#N#, has
    a base alignment of [eq]#4 N#.
  * An array has a base alignment equal to the base alignment of its element
    type, rounded up to a multiple of [eq]#16#.
  * A structure has a base alignment equal to the largest base alignment of
    any of its members, rounded up to a multiple of [eq]#16#.
  * A row-major matrix of [eq]#C# columns has a base alignment equal to the
    base alignment of a vector of [eq]#C# matrix components.
  * A column-major matrix has a base alignment equal to the base alignment
    of the matrix column type.

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_relaxed_block_layout[]

A member is defined to _improperly straddle_ if either of the following are
true:

  * It is a vector with total size less than or equal to 16 bytes, and has
    code:Offset decorations placing its first byte at [eq]#F# and its last
    byte at [eq]#L#, where [eq]#floor(F / 16) != floor(L / 16)#.
  * It is a vector with total size greater than 16 bytes and has its
    code:Offset decorations placing its first byte at a non-integer multiple
    of 16.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_relaxed_block_layout[]

Every member of an code:OpTypeStruct with storage class of code:Uniform and
a decoration of code:Block (uniform buffers) must: be laid out according to
the following rules:

ifndef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_relaxed_block_layout[]

  * The code:Offset decoration must: be a multiple of its base alignment.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_relaxed_block_layout[]

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_relaxed_block_layout[]

  * The code:Offset decoration of a scalar, an array, a structure, or a
    matrix must: be a multiple of its base alignment.
  * The code:Offset decoration of a vector must: be an integer multiple of
    the base alignment of its scalar component type, and must: not
    improperly straddle, as defined above.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_relaxed_block_layout[]

  * Any code:ArrayStride or code:MatrixStride decoration must: be an integer
    multiple of the base alignment of the array or matrix from above.
  * The code:Offset decoration of a member must: not place it between the
    end of a structure or an array and the next multiple of the base
    alignment of that structure or array.
  * The numeric order of code:Offset decorations need not follow member
    declaration order.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
The *std140 layout* in GLSL satisfies these rules.
====

[[interfaces-resources-layout-std430]]
*Standard Storage Buffer Layout*

Member variables of an code:OpTypeStruct with a storage class of
code:PushConstant (push constants), or a storage class of code:Uniform with
a decoration of code:BufferBlock (storage buffers)
ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
, or a storage class of code:StorageBuffer with a decoration of code:Block
endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_storage_buffer_storage_class[]
must: be laid out as <<interfaces-resources-layout-std140,above>>, except
for array and structure base alignment which do not need to be rounded up to
a multiple of [eq]#16#.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
The *std430 layout* in GLSL satisfies these rules.
====


[[interfaces-builtin-variables]]
== Built-In Variables

Built-in variables are accessed in shaders by declaring a variable decorated
with a code:BuiltIn decoration.
The meaning of each code:BuiltIn decoration is as follows.
In the remainder of this section, the name of a built-in is used
interchangeably with a term equivalent to a variable decorated with that
particular built-in.
Built-ins that represent integer values can: be declared as either signed or
unsigned 32-bit integers.

ifdef::VK_NV_fragment_shader_barycentric[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-barycoordnv]]
code:BaryCoordNV::

The code:BaryCoordNV decoration can: be used to decorate a fragment shader
input variable.
This variable will contain a three-component floating-point vector with
barycentric weights that indicate the location of the fragment relative to
the screen-space locations of vertices of its primitive, obtained using
perspective interpolation.
+
The code:BaryCoordNV decoration must: be used only within fragment shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:BaryCoordNV must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:BaryCoordNV must: be declared as
three-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

endif::VK_NV_fragment_shader_barycentric[]

ifdef::VK_AMD_shader_explicit_vertex_parameter[]
code:BaryCoordNoPerspAMD::

The code:BaryCoordNoPerspAMD decoration can: be used to decorate a fragment
shader input variable.
This variable will contain the (I,J) pair of the barycentric coordinates
corresponding to the fragment evaluated using linear interpolation at the
pixel's center.
The K coordinate of the barycentric coordinates can: be derived given the
identity I + J + K = 1.0.

endif::VK_AMD_shader_explicit_vertex_parameter[]

ifdef::VK_NV_fragment_shader_barycentric[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-barycoordnoperspnv]]
code:BaryCoordNoPerspNV::

The code:BaryCoordNoPerspNV decoration can: be used to decorate a fragment
shader input variable.
This variable will contain a three-component floating-point vector with
barycentric weights that indicate the location of the fragment relative to
the screen-space locations of vertices of its primitive, obtained using
linear interpolation.
+
The code:BaryCoordNoPerspNV decoration must: be used only within fragment
shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:BaryCoordNoPerspNV must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:BaryCoordNoPerspNV must: be declared as
three-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

endif::VK_NV_fragment_shader_barycentric[]

ifdef::VK_AMD_shader_explicit_vertex_parameter[]

code:BaryCoordNoPerspCentroidAMD::

The code:BaryCoordNoPerspCentroidAMD decoration can: be used to decorate a
fragment shader input variable.
This variable will contain the (I,J) pair of the barycentric coordinates
corresponding to the fragment evaluated using linear interpolation at the
centroid.
The K coordinate of the barycentric coordinates can: be derived given the
identity I + J + K = 1.0.

code:BaryCoordNoPerspSampleAMD::

The code:BaryCoordNoPerspCentroidAMD decoration can: be used to decorate a
fragment shader input variable.
This variable will contain the (I,J) pair of the barycentric coordinates
corresponding to the fragment evaluated using linear interpolation at each
covered sample.
The K coordinate of the barycentric coordinates can: be derived given the
identity I + J + K = 1.0.

code:BaryCoordPullModelAMD::

The code:BaryCoordPullModelAMD decoration can: be used to decorate a
fragment shader input variable.
This variable will contain (1/W, 1/I, 1/J) evaluated at the pixel center and
can: be used to calculate gradients and then interpolate I, J, and W at any
desired sample location.

code:BaryCoordSmoothAMD::

The code:BaryCoordSmoothAMD decoration can: be used to decorate a fragment
shader input variable.
This variable will contain the (I,J) pair of the barycentric coordinates
corresponding to the fragment evaluated using perspective interpolation at
the pixel's center.
The K coordinate of the barycentric coordinates can: be derived given the
identity I + J + K = 1.0.

code:BaryCoordSmoothCentroidAMD::

The code:BaryCoordSmoothCentroidAMD decoration can: be used to decorate a
fragment shader input variable.
This variable will contain the (I,J) pair of the barycentric coordinates
corresponding to the fragment evaluated using perspective interpolation at
the centroid.
The K coordinate of the barycentric coordinates can: be derived given the
identity I + J + K = 1.0.

code:BaryCoordSmoothSampleAMD::

The code:BaryCoordSmoothCentroidAMD decoration can: be used to decorate a
fragment shader input variable.
This variable will contain the (I,J) pair of the barycentric coordinates
corresponding to the fragment evaluated using perspective interpolation at
each covered sample.
The K coordinate of the barycentric coordinates can: be derived given the
identity I + J + K = 1.0.

endif::VK_AMD_shader_explicit_vertex_parameter[]

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_shader_draw_parameters[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-baseinstance]]
code:BaseInstance::

Decorating a variable with the code:BaseInstance built-in will make that
variable contain the integer value corresponding to the first instance that
was passed to the command that invoked the current vertex shader invocation.
code:BaseInstance is the pname:firstInstance parameter to a _direct drawing
command_ or the pname:firstInstance member of a structure consumed by an
_indirect drawing command_.
+
The code:BaseInstance decoration must: be used only within vertex shaders.
+
The variable decorated with BaseInstance must: be declared using the input
storage class.
+
The variable decorated with BaseInstance must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-basevertex]]
code:BaseVertex::

Decorating a variable with the code:BaseVertex built-in will make that
variable contain the integer value corresponding to the first vertex or
vertex offset that was passed to the command that invoked the current vertex
shader invocation.
For _non-indexed drawing commands_, this variable is the pname:firstVertex
parameter to a _direct drawing command_ or the pname:firstVertex member of
the structure consumed by an _indirect drawing command_.
For _indexed drawing commands_, this variable is the pname:vertexOffset
parameter to a _direct drawing command_ or the pname:vertexOffset member of
the structure consumed by an _indirect drawing command_.
+
The code:BaseVertex decoration must: be used only within vertex shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:BaseVertex must: be declared using the
input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with codeBaseVertex must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_shader_draw_parameters[]

code:ClipDistance::

Decorating a variable with the code:ClipDistance built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the mechanism for controlling user clipping.
code:ClipDistance is an array such that the i^th^ element of the array
specifies the clip distance for plane i.
A clip distance of 0 means the vertex is on the plane, a positive distance
means the vertex is inside the clip half-space, and a negative distance
means the point is outside the clip half-space.
+
The code:ClipDistance decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, fragment, tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, and
geometry shaders.
+
In
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex shaders, any variable decorated with code:ClipDistance must: be
declared using the code:Output storage class.
+
In fragment shaders, any variable decorated with code:ClipDistance must: be
declared using the code:Input storage class.
+
In tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, or geometry shaders, any
variable decorated with code:ClipDistance must: not be in a storage class
other than code:Input or code:Output.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ClipDistance must: be declared as an array
of 32-bit floating-point values.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
The array variable decorated with code:ClipDistance is explicitly sized by
the shader.
====

[NOTE]
.Note
====
In the last vertex processing stage, these values will be linearly
interpolated across the primitive and the portion of the primitive with
interpolated distances less than 0 will be considered outside the clip
volume.
If code:ClipDistance is then used by a fragment shader, code:ClipDistance
contains these linearly interpolated values.
====

ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-clipdistancepv]]
code:ClipDistancePerViewNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:ClipDistancePerViewNV built-in
decoration will make that variable contain the per-view clip distances.
The per-view clip distances have the same semantics as code:ClipDistance.
+
The code:ClipDistancePerViewNV must: be used only within mesh shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ClipDistancePerViewNV must: be declared
using the code:Output storage class, and must: also be decorated with the
code:PerViewNV decoration.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ClipDistancePerViewNV must: be declared as
a two-dimensional array of 32-bit floating-point values.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]

code:CullDistance::

Decorating a variable with the code:CullDistance built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the mechanism for controlling user culling.
If any member of this array is assigned a negative value for all vertices
belonging to a primitive, then the primitive is discarded before
rasterization.
+
The code:CullDistance decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, fragment, tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, and
geometry shaders.
+
In
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex shaders, any variable decorated with code:CullDistance must: be
declared using the code:Output storage class.
+
In fragment shaders, any variable decorated with code:CullDistance must: be
declared using the code:Input storage class.
+
In tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, or geometry shaders, any
variable decorated with code:CullDistance must: not be declared in a storage
class other than input or output.
+
Any variable decorated with code:CullDistance must: be declared as an array
of 32-bit floating-point values.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
In fragment shaders, the values of the code:CullDistance array are linearly
interpolated across each primitive.
====

[NOTE]
.Note
====
If code:CullDistance decorates an input variable, that variable will contain
the corresponding value from the code:CullDistance decorated output variable
from the previous shader stage.
====

ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-culldistancepv]]
code:CullDistancePerViewNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:CullDistancePerViewNV built-in
decoration will make that variable contain the per-view cull distances.
The per-view clip distances have the same semantics as code:CullDistance.
+
The code:CullDistancePerViewNV must: be used only within mesh shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:CullDistancePerViewNV must: be declared
using the code:Output storage class, and must: also be decorated with the
code:PerViewNV decoration.
+
Any variable decorated with code:CullDistancePerViewNV must: be declared as
a two-dimensional array of 32-bit floating-point values.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_device_group[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-deviceindex]]
code:DeviceIndex::

The code:DeviceIndex decoration can: be applied to a shader input which will
be filled with the device index of the physical device that is executing the
current shader invocation.
This value will be in the range latexmath:[[0,max(1,physicalDeviceCount))],
where physicalDeviceCount is the pname:physicalDeviceCount member of
slink:VkDeviceGroupDeviceCreateInfo.
+
The code:DeviceIndex decoration can: be used in any shader.
+
The variable decorated with code:DeviceIndex must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:DeviceIndex must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_device_group[]

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_shader_draw_parameters[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-drawindex]]
code:DrawIndex::

Decorating a variable with the code:DrawIndex built-in will make that
variable contain the integer value corresponding to the zero-based index of
the drawing command that invoked the current
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh, or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex shader invocation.
For _indirect drawing commands_, code:DrawIndex begins at zero and
increments by one for each draw command executed.
The number of draw commands is given by the pname:drawCount parameter.
For _direct drawing commands_, code:DrawIndex is always zero.
code:DrawIndex is dynamically uniform.
+
The code:DrawIndex decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:DrawIndex must: be declared using the input
storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:DrawIndex must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
+
When task or mesh shaders are used, only the first active stage will have
proper access to the variable, other stages will have undefined values.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_shader_draw_parameters[]

code:FragCoord::

Decorating a variable with the code:FragCoord built-in decoration will make
that variable contain the framebuffer coordinate
latexmath:[(x,y,z,\frac{1}{w})] of the fragment being processed.
The [eq]#(x,y)# coordinate [eq]#(0,0)# is the upper left corner of the upper
left pixel in the framebuffer.
+
When <<primsrast-sampleshading,Sample Shading>> is enabled, the [eq]#x# and
[eq]#y# components of code:FragCoord reflect the location of one of the
samples corresponding to the shader invocation.
+
Otherwise, the [eq]#x# and [eq]#y# components of code:FragCoord reflect the
location of the center of the fragment.
+
The [eq]#z# component of code:FragCoord is the interpolated depth value of
the primitive.
+
The [eq]#w# component is the interpolated latexmath:[\frac{1}{w}].
+
The code:FragCoord decoration must: be used only within fragment shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:FragCoord must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The code:Centroid interpolation decoration is ignored, but allowed, on
code:FragCoord.
+
The variable decorated with code:FragCoord must: be declared as a
four-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

code:FragDepth::

To have a shader supply a fragment-depth value, the shader must: declare the
code:DepthReplacing execution mode.
Such a shader's fragment-depth value will come from the variable decorated
with the code:FragDepth built-in decoration.
+
This value will be used for any subsequent depth testing performed by the
implementation or writes to the depth attachment.
+
The code:FragDepth decoration must: be used only within fragment shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:FragDepth must: be declared using the
code:Output storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:FragDepth must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit floating-point value.

ifdef::VK_EXT_shader_stencil_export[]

code:FragStencilRefEXT::

Decorating a variable with the code:FragStencilRefEXT built-in decoration
will make that variable contain the new stencil reference value for all
samples covered by the fragment.
This value will be used as the stencil reference value used in stencil
testing.
+
To write to code:FragStencilRefEXT, a shader must: declare the
code:StencilRefReplacingEXT execution mode.
If a shader declares the code:StencilRefReplacingEXT execution mode and
there is an execution path through the shader that does not set
code:FragStencilRefEXT, then the fragment's stencil reference value is
undefined: for executions of the shader that take that path.
+
The code:FragStencilRefEXT decoration must: be used only within fragment
shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:FragStencilRefEXT must: be declared using
the code:Output storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:FragStencilRefEXT must: be declared as a
scalar integer value.
Only the least significant *s* bits of the integer value of the variable
decorated with code:FragStencilRefEXT are considered for stencil testing,
where *s* is the number of bits in the stencil framebuffer attachment, and
higher order bits are discarded.

endif::VK_EXT_shader_stencil_export[]

ifdef::VK_NV_shading_rate_image[]

code:FragmentSizeNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:FragmentSizeNV built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the width and height of the fragment.
+
The code:FragmentSizeNV decoration must: be used only within fragment
shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:FragmentSizeNV must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:FragmentSizeNV must: be declared as a
two-component vector of 32-bit integers.

endif::VK_NV_shading_rate_image[]


code:FrontFacing::

Decorating a variable with the code:FrontFacing built-in decoration will
make that variable contain whether the fragment is front or back facing.
This variable is non-zero if the current fragment is considered to be part
of a <<primsrast-polygons-basic,front-facing>> polygon primitive or of a
non-polygon primitive and is zero if the fragment is considered to be part
of a back-facing polygon primitive.
+
The code:FrontFacing decoration must: be used only within fragment shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:FrontFacing must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:FrontFacing must: be declared as a boolean.

ifdef::VK_EXT_conservative_rasterization[]

code:FullyCoveredEXT::

Decorating a variable with the code:FullyCoveredEXT built-in decoration will
make that variable indicate whether the <<glossary-fragment-area,fragment
area>> is fully covered by the generating primitive.
This variable is non-zero if conservative rasterization is enabled and the
current fragment area is fully covered by the generating primitive, and is
zero if the fragment is not covered or partially covered, or conservative
rasterization is disabled.
+
The code:FullyCoveredEXT decoration must: be used only within fragment
shaders and the code:FragmentFullyCoveredEXT capability must: be declared.
+
The variable decorated with code:FullyCoveredEXT must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:FullyCoveredEXT must: be declared as a
boolean.
+
ifdef::VK_EXT_post_depth_coverage[]
If the implementation supports
sname:VkPhysicalDeviceConservativeRasterizationPropertiesEXT::pname:conservativeRasterizationPostDepthCoverage
and the
<<shaders-fragment-earlytest-postdepthcoverage,code:PostDepthCoverage>>
execution mode is specified the code:SampleMask built-in input variable will
reflect the coverage after the early per-fragment depth and stencil tests
are applied.
If
sname:VkPhysicalDeviceConservativeRasterizationPropertiesEXT::pname:conservativeRasterizationPostDepthCoverage
is not supported the
<<shaders-fragment-earlytest-postdepthcoverage,code:PostDepthCoverage>>
execution mode must: not be specified.
endif::VK_EXT_post_depth_coverage[]

endif::VK_EXT_conservative_rasterization[]

code:GlobalInvocationId::

Decorating a variable with the code:GlobalInvocationId built-in decoration
will make that variable contain the location of the current invocation
within the global workgroup.
Each component is equal to the index of the local workgroup multiplied by
the size of the local workgroup plus code:LocalInvocationId.
+
The code:GlobalInvocationId decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh, or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
compute shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:GlobalInvocationId must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:GlobalInvocationId must: be declared as a
three-component vector of 32-bit integers.

code:HelperInvocation::

Decorating a variable with the code:HelperInvocation built-in decoration
will make that variable contain whether the current invocation is a helper
invocation.
This variable is non-zero if the current fragment being shaded is a helper
invocation and zero otherwise.
A helper invocation is an invocation of the shader that is produced to
satisfy internal requirements such as the generation of derivatives.
+
The code:HelperInvocation decoration must: be used only within fragment
shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:HelperInvocation must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:HelperInvocation must: be declared as a
boolean.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
It is very likely that a helper invocation will have a value of
code:SampleMask fragment shader input value that is zero.
====

ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-hitkind]]
code:HitKindNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:HitKindNVX decoration will describe the
intersection that triggered the execution of the current shader.
The values are determined by the intersection shader.
+
The code:HitKindNVX decoration must: only be used in any hit and closest hit
shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:HitKindNVX must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:HitKindNVX must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-hitt]]
code:HitTNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:HitTNVX decoration is equivalent to a
variable decorated with the code:RayTmaxNVX decoration.
+
The code:HitTNVX decoration must: only be used in any hit and closest hit
shaders.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-instancecustomindex]]
code:InstanceCustomIndexNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:InstanceCustomIndexNVX decoration will
contain the application-defined value of the instance that intersects the
current ray.
Only the lower 24 bits are valid, the upper 8 bits will be ignored.
+
The code:InstanceCustomIndexNVX decoration must: only be used in the
intersection, any hit, and closest hit shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:InstanceCustomIndexNVX must: be declared
using the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:InstanceCustomIndexNVX must: be declared as
a scalar 32-bit integer.
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]

code:InvocationId::

Decorating a variable with the code:InvocationId built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the index of the current shader invocation in a
geometry shader, or the index of the output patch vertex in a tessellation
control shader.
+
In a geometry shader, the index of the current shader invocation ranges from
zero to the number of <<geometry-invocations,instances>> declared in the
shader minus one.
If the instance count of the geometry shader is one or is not specified,
then code:InvocationId will be zero.
+
The code:InvocationId decoration must: be used only within tessellation
control and geometry shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:InvocationId must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:InvocationId must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

ifdef::VK_NV_shading_rate_image[]

code:InvocationsPerPixelNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:InvocationsPerPixelNV built-in
decoration will make that variable contain the maximum number of fragment
shader invocations per pixel, as derived from the effective shading rate for
the fragment.
If a primitive does not fully cover a pixel, the number of fragment shader
invocations for that pixel may: be less than the value of
code:InvocationsPerPixelNV.
If the shading rate indicates a fragment covering multiple pixels, then
code:InvocationsPerPixelNV will be one.
+
The code:InvocationsPerPixelNV decoration must: be used only within fragment
shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:InvocationsPerPixelNV must: be declared
using the code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:InvocationsPerPixelNV must: be declared as
a scalar 32-bit integer.

endif::VK_NV_shading_rate_image[]

code:InstanceIndex::

Decorating a variable in a vertex shader with the code:InstanceIndex
built-in decoration will make that variable contain the index of the
instance that is being processed by the current vertex shader invocation.
code:InstanceIndex begins at the pname:firstInstance parameter to
flink:vkCmdDraw or flink:vkCmdDrawIndexed or at the pname:firstInstance
member of a structure consumed by flink:vkCmdDrawIndirect or
flink:vkCmdDrawIndexedIndirect.

ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
+
Decorating a variable in an intersection, any hit, or closest hit shader
with the code:InstanceIndex decoration will make that variable contain the
index of the instance that intersects the current ray.
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
+
The code:InstanceIndex decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
intersection, any hit, closest hit, or
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
vertex shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:InstanceIndex must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:InstanceIndex must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-launchid]]
code:LaunchIDNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:LaunchIDNVX decoration will specify the
index of the work item being process.
One work item is generated for each of the pname:width {times} pname:height
items dispatched by a flink:vkCmdTraceRaysNVX command.
All shader invocations inherit the same value for variables decorated with
code:LaunchIDNVX.
+
The code:LaunchIDNVX decoration must: only be used within the ray
generation, intersection, any hit, closest hit, and miss shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:LaunchIDNVX must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:LaunchIDNVX must: be declared as a
two-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-launchsize]]
code:LaunchSizeNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:LaunchSizeNVX decoration will contain the
pname:width and pname:height dimensions passed to the
flink:vkCmdTraceRaysNVX command that initiated this shader execution.
The pname:width is in the first component, and the pname:height is in the
second component.
+
The code:LaunchSizeNVX decoration must: only be used within ray generation,
intersection, any hit, closest hit, and miss shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:LaunchSizeNVX must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:LaunchSizeNVX must: be declared as a
two-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-layer]]
code:Layer::

Decorating a variable with the code:Layer built-in decoration will make that
variable contain the select layer of a multi-layer framebuffer attachment.
+
In a
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation evaluation, or
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
geometry shader, any variable decorated with code:Layer can be written with
the framebuffer layer index to which the primitive produced by that shader
will be directed.
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
+
The last active _vertex processing stage_ (in pipeline order) controls the
code:Layer that is used.
Outputs in previous shader stages are not used, even if the last stage fails
to write the code:Layer.
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
+
If the last active vertex processing stage shader entry point's interface
does not include a variable decorated with code:Layer, then the first layer
is used.
If a vertex processing stage shader entry point's interface includes a
variable decorated with code:Layer, it must: write the same value to
code:Layer for all output vertices of a given primitive.
If the code:Layer value is less than 0 or greater than or equal to the
number of layers in the framebuffer, then primitives may: still be
rasterized, fragment shaders may: be executed, and the framebuffer values
for all layers are undefined:.
+
The code:Layer decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation evaluation,
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
geometry, and fragment shaders.
+
In a
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation evaluation, or
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
geometry shader, any variable decorated with code:Layer must: be declared
using the code:Output storage class.
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2[]
If such a variable is also decorated with code:ViewportRelativeNV, then the
code:ViewportIndex is added to the layer that is used for rendering and that
is made available in the fragment shader.
If the shader writes to a variable decorated code:ViewportMaskNV, then the
layer selected has a different value for each viewport a primitive is
rendered to.
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2[]
+
In a fragment shader, a variable decorated with code:Layer contains the
layer index of the primitive that the fragment invocation belongs to.
+
In a fragment shader, any variable decorated with code:Layer must: be
declared using the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:Layer must: be declared as a scalar 32-bit
integer.

ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-layerpv]]
code:LayerPerViewNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:LayerPerViewNV built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the per-view layer information.
The per-view layer has the same semantics as code:Layer, for each view.
+
The code:LayerPerViewNV must: only be used within mesh shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:LayerPerViewNV must: be declared using the
code:Output storage class, and must: also be decorated with the
code:PerViewNV decoration.
+
Any variable decorated with code:LayerPerViewNV must: be declared as an
array of scalar 32-bit integer values.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]

code:LocalInvocationId::

Decorating a variable with the code:LocalInvocationId built-in decoration
will make that variable contain the location of the current
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh, or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
compute shader invocation within the local workgroup.
Each component ranges from zero through to the size of the workgroup in that
dimension minus one.
+
The code:LocalInvocationId decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh, or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
compute shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:LocalInvocationId must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:LocalInvocationId must: be declared as a
three-component vector of 32-bit integers.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
If the size of the workgroup in a particular dimension is one, then the
code:LocalInvocationId in that dimension will be zero.
If the workgroup is effectively two-dimensional, then
code:LocalInvocationId.z will be zero.
If the workgroup is effectively one-dimensional, then both
code:LocalInvocationId.y and code:LocalInvocationId.z will be zero.
====

code:LocalInvocationIndex::

Decorating a variable with the code:LocalInvocationIndex built-in decoration
will make that variable contain a one-dimensional representation of
code:LocalInvocationId.
This is computed as:
+
[source,c++]
----
LocalInvocationIndex =
    LocalInvocationId.z * WorkgroupSize.x * WorkgroupSize.y +
    LocalInvocationId.y * WorkgroupSize.x +
    LocalInvocationId.x;
----
+
The code:LocalInvocationIndex decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh, or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
compute shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:LocalInvocationIndex must: be declared
using the code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:LocalInvocationIndex must: be declared as a
scalar 32-bit integer.

ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-meshviewcount]]
code:MeshViewCountNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:MeshViewCountNV built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the number of views processed by the current mesh
or task shader invocations.
+
The code:MeshViewCountNV decoration must: only be used in task and mesh
shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:MeshViewCountNV must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:MeshViewCountNV must: be declared as a
scalar 32-bit integer.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-meshviewindices]]
code:MeshViewIndicesNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:MeshViewIndicesNV built-in decoration
will make that variable contain the mesh view indices.
The mesh view indices is an array of values where each element holds the
view number of one of the views being processed by the current mesh or task
shader invocations.
The array elements with indices great than or equal to code:MeshViewCountNV
are undefined.
If the value of code:MeshViewIndicesNV[i] is [eq]#j#, then any outputs
decorated with code:PerViewNV will take on the value of array element
[eq]#i# when processing primitives for view index [eq]#j#.
+
The code:MeshViewIndicesNV decoration must: only be used in task and mesh
shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:MeshViewIndicesNV must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:MeshViewIndicesNV must: be declared as an
array of scalar 32-bit integers.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1[]

code:NumSubgroups::

Decorating a variable with the code:NumSubgroups built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the number of subgroups in the local workgroup.
+
The code:NumSubgroups decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh, or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
compute shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:NumSubgroups must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The object decorated with code:NumSubgroups must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1[]

code:NumWorkgroups::

Decorating a variable with the code:NumWorkgroups built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the number of local workgroups that are part of
the dispatch that the invocation belongs to.
Each component is equal to the values of the workgroup count parameters
passed into the dispatch commands.
+
The code:NumWorkgroups decoration must: be used only within compute shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:NumWorkgroups must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:NumWorkgroups must: be declared as a
three-component vector of 32-bit integers.

ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-objectraydirection]]
code:ObjectRayDirectionNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:ObjectRayDirectionNVX decoration will
specify the direction of the ray being processed, in object space.
+
The code:ObjectRayDirectionNVX decoration must: only be used within
intersection, any hit, closest hit, and miss shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ObjectRayDirectionNVX must: be declared
using the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ObjectRayDirectionNVX must: be declared as
a three-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-objectrayorigin]]
code:ObjectRayOriginNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:ObjectRayOriginNVX decoration will
specify the origin of the ray being processed, in object space.
+
The code:ObjectRayOriginNVX decoration must: only be used within
intersection, any hit, closest hit, and miss shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ObjectRayOriginNVX must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ObjectRayOriginNVX must: be declared as a
three-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-objecttoworld]]
code:ObjectToWorldNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:ObjectToWorldNVX decoration will contain
the current object-to-world transformation matrix, which is determined by
the instance of the current intersection.
+
The code:ObjectToWorldNVX decoration must: only be used within intersection,
any hit, and closest hit shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ObjectToWorldNVX must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ObjectToWorldNVX must: be declared as a
matrix with four columns of three-component vectors of 32-bit floating-point
values.
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]

code:PatchVertices::

Decorating a variable with the code:PatchVertices built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the number of vertices in the input patch being
processed by the shader.
A single tessellation control or tessellation evaluation shader can: read
patches of differing sizes, so the value of the code:PatchVertices variable
may: differ between patches.
+
The code:PatchVertices decoration must: be used only within tessellation
control and tessellation evaluation shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:PatchVertices must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:PatchVertices must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

code:PointCoord::

Decorating a variable with the code:PointCoord built-in decoration will make
that variable contain the coordinate of the current fragment within the
point being rasterized, normalized to the size of the point with origin in
the upper left corner of the point, as described in
<<primsrast-points-basic,Basic Point Rasterization>>.
If the primitive the fragment shader invocation belongs to is not a point,
then the variable decorated with code:PointCoord contains an undefined:
value.
+
The code:PointCoord decoration must: be used only within fragment shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:PointCoord must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:PointCoord must: be declared as
two-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
Depending on how the point is rasterized, code:PointCoord may: never reach
[eq]#(0,0)# or [eq]#(1,1)#.
====

code:PointSize::

Decorating a variable with the code:PointSize built-in decoration will make
that variable contain the size of point primitives.
The value written to the variable decorated with code:PointSize by the last
vertex processing stage in the pipeline is used as the framebuffer-space
size of points produced by rasterization.
+
The code:PointSize decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, and geometry shaders.
+
In a
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex shader, any variable decorated with code:PointSize must: be declared
using the code:Output storage class.
+
In a tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, or geometry shader, any
variable decorated with code:PointSize must: be declared using either the
code:Input or code:Output storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:PointSize must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit floating-point value.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
When code:PointSize decorates a variable in the code:Input storage class, it
contains the data written to the output variable decorated with
code:PointSize from the previous shader stage.
====

code:Position::

Decorating a variable with the code:Position built-in decoration will make
that variable contain the position of the current vertex.
In the last vertex processing stage, the value of the variable decorated
with code:Position is used in subsequent primitive assembly, clipping, and
rasterization operations.
+
The code:Position decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, and geometry shaders.
+
In a
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex shader, any variable decorated with code:Position must: be declared
using the code:Output storage class.
+
In a tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, or geometry shader, any
variable decorated with code:Position must: not be declared in a storage
class other than code:Input or code:Output.
+
Any variable decorated with code:Position must: be declared as a
four-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
When code:Position decorates a variable in the code:Input storage class, it
contains the data written to the output variable decorated with
code:Position from the previous shader stage.
====

ifdef::VK_NVX_multiview_per_view_attributes[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-positionperview]]
code:PositionPerViewNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:PositionPerViewNV built-in decoration
will make that variable contain the position of the current vertex, for each
view.
+
The code:PositionPerViewNV decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, and geometry shaders.
+
In a vertex shader, any variable decorated with code:PositionPerViewNV must:
be declared using the code:Output storage class.
+
In a tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, or geometry shader, any
variable decorated with code:PositionPerViewNV must: not be declared in a
storage class other than input or output.
+
Any variable decorated with code:PositionPerViewNV must: be declared as an
array of four-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values with at least
as many elements as the maximum view in the subpass's view mask plus one.
The array must: be indexed by a constant or specialization constant.
+
Elements of the array correspond to views in a multiview subpass, and those
elements corresponding to views in the view mask of the subpass the shader
is compiled against will be used as the position value for those views.
For the final vertex processing stage in the pipeline, values written to an
output variable decorated with code:PositionPerViewNV are used in subsequent
primitive assembly, clipping, and rasterization operations, as with
code:Position.
code:PositionPerViewNV output in an earlier vertex processing stage is
available as an input in the subsequent vertex processing stage.
+
If a shader is compiled against a subpass that has the
ename:VK_SUBPASS_DESCRIPTION_PER_VIEW_POSITION_X_ONLY_BIT_NVX bit set, then
the position values for each view must: not differ in any component other
than the X component.
If the values do differ, one will be chosen in an implementation-dependent
manner.
endif::VK_NVX_multiview_per_view_attributes[]

ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-primitivecount]]
code:PrimitiveCountNV::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:PrimitiveCountNV decoration will make
that variable contain the primitive count.
The primitive count specifies the number of primitives in the output mesh
produced by the mesh shader that will be processed by subsequent pipeline
stages.
+
The code:PrimitiveCountNV decoration must: only be used in mesh shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:PrimitiveCountNV must: be declared using
the code:Output storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:PrimitiveCountNV must: be declared as a
scalar 32-bit integer.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]

code:PrimitiveId::

Decorating a variable with the code:PrimitiveId built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the index of the current primitive.
+
The index of the first primitive generated by a drawing command is zero, and
the index is incremented after every individual point, line, or triangle
primitive is processed.
+
For triangles drawn as points or line segments (see <<primsrast-polygonmode
, Polygon Mode>>), the primitive index is incremented only once, even if
multiple points or lines are eventually drawn.
+
Variables decorated with code:PrimitiveId are reset to zero between each
instance drawn.
+
Restarting a primitive topology using primitive restart has no effect on the
value of variables decorated with code:PrimitiveId.
+
In tessellation control and tessellation evaluation shaders, it will contain
the index of the patch within the current set of rendering primitives that
correspond to the shader invocation.
+
In a geometry shader, it will contain the number of primitives presented as
input to the shader since the current set of rendering primitives was
started.
+
In a fragment shader, it will contain the primitive index written by the
geometry shader if a geometry shader is present, or with the value that
would have been presented as input to the geometry shader had it been
present.
ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
+
In an intersection, any hit, or closest hit shader, it will contain the
index of the triangle or bounding box being processed.
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
+
If a geometry shader is present and the fragment shader reads from an input
variable decorated with code:PrimitiveId, then the geometry shader must:
write to an output variable decorated with code:PrimitiveId in all execution
paths.
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
+
If a mesh shader is present and the fragment shader reads from an input
variable decorated with code:PrimitiveId, then the mesh shader must: write
to the output variables decorated with code:PrimitiveId in all execution
paths.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
+
The code:PrimitiveId decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
intersection, any hit, closest hit,
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
fragment, tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, and geometry
shaders.
+
In
ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
an intersection, any hit, closest hit,
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
ifndef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
a
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
tessellation control, or tessellation evaluation shader, any variable
decorated with code:PrimitiveId must: be declared using the code:Input
storage class.
+
In a geometry shader, any variable decorated with code:PrimitiveId must: be
declared using either the code:Input or code:Output storage class.
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
+
In a mesh shader, any variable decorated with code:PrimitiveId must: be
declared using the code:Output storage class.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
+
In a fragment shader, any variable decorated with code:PrimitiveId must: be
declared using the code:Input storage class, and either the code:Geometry or
code:Tessellation capability must: also be declared.
+
Any variable decorated with code:PrimitiveId must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
When the code:PrimitiveId decoration is applied to an output variable in the
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh shader or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
geometry shader, the resulting value is seen through the code:PrimitiveId
decorated input variable in the fragment shader.
====

ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-primitiveindices]]
code:PrimitiveIndicesNV::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:PrimitiveIndicesNV decoration will make
that variable contain the output array of vertex index values.
Depending on the output primitive type declared using the execution mode,
the indices are split into groups of one (code:OutputPoints), two
(code:OutputLinesNV), or three (code:OutputTriangles) indices and each group
generates a primitive.
+
All index values must: be in the range [eq]#[0, N-1]#, where [eq]#N# is the
value specified by the code:OutputVertices execution mode.
Out-of-bounds index values result in undefined behavior.
+
The code:PrimitiveIndicesNV decoration must: only be used in mesh shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:PrimitiveIndicesNV must: be declared using
the code:Output storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:PrimitiveIndicesNV must: be declared as an
array of scalar 32-bit integers.
The array must: be sized according to the primitive type and
code:OutputPrimitivesNV execution modes, where the size is:

 * the value specified by code:OutputPrimitivesNV if the execution mode is
   code:OutputPoints,
 * two times the value specified by code:OutputPrimitivesNV if the execution
   mode is code:OutputLinesNV, or
 * three times the value specified by code:OutputPrimitivesNV if the
   execution mode is code:OutputTrianglesNV.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]

ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-raytmax]]
code:RayTmaxNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:RayTmaxNVX decoration will contain the
parametric pname:tmax values of the ray being processed.
The values are independent of the space in which the ray and origin exist.
+
The pname:tmax value changes throughout the lifetime of the ray query that
produced the intersection.
In the closest hit shader, the value reflects the closest distance to the
intersected primitive.
In the any hit shader, it reflects the distance to the primitive currently
being intersected.
In the intersection shader, it reflects the distance to the closest
primitive intersected so far.
The value can change in the intersection shader after calling
code:OpReportIntersectionNVX if the corresponding any hit shader does not
ignore the intersection.
In a miss shader, the value is identical to the parameter passed into
code:OpTraceNVX.
+
The code:RayTmaxNVX decoration must: only be used with the intersection, any
hit, closest hit, and miss shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:RayTmaxNVX must: be declared with the
code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:RayTmaxNVX must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit floating-point value.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-raytmin]]
code:RayTminNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:RayTminNVX decoration will contain the
parametric code:tmin values of the ray being processed.
The values are independent of the space in which the ray and origin exist.
+
The code:tmin value remains constant for the duration of the ray query.
+
The code:RayTminNVX decoration must: only be used with the intersection, any
hit, closest hit, and miss shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:RayTminNVX must: be declared with the
code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:RayTminNVX must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit floating-point value.
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]

code:SampleId::

Decorating a variable with the code:SampleId built-in decoration will make
that variable contain the zero-based index of the sample the invocation
corresponds to.
code:SampleId ranges from zero to the number of samples in the framebuffer
minus one.
If a fragment shader entry point's interface includes an input variable
decorated with code:SampleId, <<primsrast-sampleshading,Sample Shading>> is
considered enabled with a pname:minSampleShading value of 1.0.
+
The code:SampleId decoration must: be used only within fragment shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:SampleId must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SampleId must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-samplemask]]
code:SampleMask::

Decorating a variable with the code:SampleMask built-in decoration will make
any variable contain the sample coverage mask for the current fragment
shader invocation.
+
A variable in the code:Input storage class decorated with code:SampleMask
will contain a bitmask of the set of samples covered by the primitive
generating the fragment during rasterization.
It has a sample bit set if and only if the sample is considered covered for
this fragment shader invocation.
code:SampleMask[] is an array of integers.
Bits are mapped to samples in a manner where bit B of mask M
(`SampleMask[M]`) corresponds to sample [eq]#32 {times} M {plus} B#.
+
When state specifies multiple fragment shader invocations for a given
fragment, the sample mask for any single fragment shader invocation
specifies the subset of the covered samples for the fragment that correspond
to the invocation.
In this case, the bit corresponding to each covered sample will be set in
exactly one fragment shader invocation.

ifdef::VK_EXT_post_depth_coverage[]
+
If the
<<shaders-fragment-earlytest-postdepthcoverage,code:PostDepthCoverage>>
execution mode is specified, the sample is considered covered if and only if
the sample is covered by the primitive and the sample passes the
<<fragops-early,early per-fragment tests>>.
Otherwise the sample is considered covered if the sample is covered by the
primitive, regardless of the result of the fragment tests.
endif::VK_EXT_post_depth_coverage[]
+
A variable in the code:Output storage class decorated with code:SampleMask
is an array of integers forming a bit array in a manner similar an input
variable decorated with code:SampleMask, but where each bit represents
coverage as computed by the shader.
Modifying the sample mask by writing zero to a bit of code:SampleMask causes
the sample to be considered uncovered.
ifndef::VK_NV_sample_mask_override_coverage[]
However, setting sample mask bits to one will never enable samples not
covered by the original primitive.
endif::VK_NV_sample_mask_override_coverage[]
ifdef::VK_NV_sample_mask_override_coverage[]
If this variable is also decorated with code:OverrideCoverageNV, the
fragment coverage is replaced with the sample mask bits set in the shader
otherwise the fragment coverage is code:ANDed with the bits of the sample
mask.
endif::VK_NV_sample_mask_override_coverage[]
If the fragment shader is being evaluated at any frequency other than
per-fragment, bits of the sample mask not corresponding to the current
fragment shader invocation are ignored.
This array must: be sized in the fragment shader either implicitly or
explicitly, to be no larger than the implementation-dependent maximum
sample-mask (as an array of 32-bit elements), determined by the maximum
number of samples.
If a fragment shader entry point's interface includes an output variable
decorated with code:SampleMask, the sample mask will be undefined: for any
array elements of any fragment shader invocations that fail to assign a
value.
If a fragment shader entry point's interface does not include an output
variable decorated with code:SampleMask, the sample mask has no effect on
the processing of a fragment.
+
The code:SampleMask decoration must: be used only within fragment shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:SampleMask must: be declared using either
the code:Input or code:Output storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:SampleMask must: be declared as an array of
32-bit integers.

code:SamplePosition::

Decorating a variable with the code:SamplePosition built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the sub-pixel position of the sample being
shaded.
The top left of the pixel is considered to be at coordinate [eq]#(0,0)# and
the bottom right of the pixel is considered to be at coordinate [eq]#(1,1)#.
If a fragment shader entry point's interface includes an input variable
decorated with code:SamplePosition, <<primsrast-sampleshading,Sample
Shading>> is considered enabled with a pname:minSampleShading value of 1.0.
+
The code:SamplePosition decoration must: be used only within fragment
shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:SamplePosition must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
ifdef::VK_EXT_sample_locations[]
If the current pipeline uses <<primrast-samplelocations, custom sample
locations>> the value of any variable decorated with the code:SamplePosition
built-in decoration is undefined:.
endif::VK_EXT_sample_locations[]
+
The variable decorated with code:SamplePosition must: be declared as a
two-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1[]

code:SubgroupId::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:SubgroupId built-in decoration will make
that variable contain the index of the subgroup within the local workgroup.
This variable is in range [0, code:NumSubgroups-1].
+
The code:SubgroupId decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh or,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
compute shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupId must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupId must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1[]

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_EXT_shader_subgroup_ballot[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-sgeq]]
code:SubgroupEqMask::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:SubgroupEqMask builtin decoration will
make that variable contain the _subgroup mask_ of the current subgroup
invocation.
The bit corresponding to the code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId is set in the
variable decorated with code:SubgroupEqMask.
All other bits are set to zero.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupEqMask must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupEqMask must: be declared as a
four-component vector of 32-bit integer values.
+
code:SubgroupEqMaskKHR is an alias of code:SubgroupEqMask.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-sgge]]
code:SubgroupGeMask::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:SubgroupGeMask builtin decoration will
make that variable contain the _subgroup mask_ of the current subgroup
invocation.
The bits corresponding to the invocations greater than or equal to
code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId through code:SubgroupSize-1 are set in the
variable decorated with code:SubgroupGeMask.
All other bits are set to zero.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupGeMask must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupGeMask must: be declared as a
four-component vector of 32-bit integer values.
+
code:SubgroupGeMaskKHR is an alias of code:SubgroupGeMask.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-sggt]]
code:SubgroupGtMask::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:SubgroupGtMask builtin decoration will
make that variable contain the _subgroup mask_ of the current subgroup
invocation.
The bits corresponding to the invocations greater than
code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId through code:SubgroupSize-1 are set in the
variable decorated with code:SubgroupGtMask.
All other bits are set to zero.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupGtMask must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupGtMask must: be declared as a
four-component vector of 32-bit integer values.
+
code:SubgroupGtMaskKHR is an alias of code:SubgroupGtMask.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-sgle]]
code:SubgroupLeMask::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:SubgroupLeMask builtin decoration will
make that variable contain the _subgroup mask_ of the current subgroup
invocation.
The bits corresponding to the invocations less than or equal to
code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId are set in the variable decorated with
code:SubgroupLeMask.
All other bits are set to zero.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupLeMask must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupLeMask must: be declared as a
four-component vector of 32-bit integer values.
+
code:SubgroupLeMaskKHR is an alias of code:SubgroupLeMask.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-sglt]]
code:SubgroupLtMask::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:SubgroupLtMask builtin decoration will
make that variable contain the _subgroup mask_ of the current subgroup
invocation.
The bits corresponding to the invocations less than
code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId are set in the variable decorated with
code:SubgroupLtMask.
All other bits are set to zero.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupLtMask must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupLtMask must: be declared as a
four-component vector of 32-bit integer values.
+
code:SubgroupLtMaskKHR is an alias of code:SubgroupLtMask.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-sgli]]
code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId builtin
decoration will make that variable contain the index of the invocation
within the subgroup.
This variable is in range [0,code:SubgroupSize-1].
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId must: be declared
using the code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupLocalInvocationId must: be declared
as a scalar 32-bit integer.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-sgs]]
code:SubgroupSize::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:SubgroupSize builtin decoration will
make that variable contain the implementation-dependent maximum number of
invocations in a subgroup.
The maximum number of invocations that an implementation can support per
subgroup is 128.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupSize must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:SubgroupSize must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_EXT_shader_subgroup_ballot[]

ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-taskcount]]
code:TaskCountNV::
+
Decorating a variable with the code:TaskCountNV decoration will make that
variable contain the task count.
The task count specifies the number of subsequent mesh shader workgroups
that get generated upon completion of the task shader.
+
The code:TaskCountNV decoration must: only be used in task shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:TaskCountNV must: be declared using the
code:Output storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:TaskCountNV must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]

code:TessCoord::

Decorating a variable with the code:TessCoord built-in decoration will make
that variable contain the three-dimensional [eq]#(u,v,w)# barycentric
coordinate of the tessellated vertex within the patch.
[eq]#u#, [eq]#v#, and [eq]#w# are in the range [eq]#[0,1]# and vary linearly
across the primitive being subdivided.
For the tessellation modes of code:Quads or code:IsoLines, the third
component is always zero.
+
The code:TessCoord decoration must: be used only within tessellation
evaluation shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:TessCoord must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:TessCoord must: be declared as
three-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

code:TessLevelOuter::

Decorating a variable with the code:TessLevelOuter built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the outer tessellation levels for the current
patch.
+
In tessellation control shaders, the variable decorated with
code:TessLevelOuter can: be written to which controls the tessellation
factors for the resulting patch.
These values are used by the tessellator to control primitive tessellation
and can: be read by tessellation evaluation shaders.
+
In tessellation evaluation shaders, the variable decorated with
code:TessLevelOuter can: read the values written by the tessellation control
shader.
+
The code:TessLevelOuter decoration must: be used only within tessellation
control and tessellation evaluation shaders.
+
In a tessellation control shader, any variable decorated with
code:TessLevelOuter must: be declared using the code:Output storage class.
+
In a tessellation evaluation shader, any variable decorated with
code:TessLevelOuter must: be declared using the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:TessLevelOuter must: be declared as an
array of size four, containing 32-bit floating-point values.

code:TessLevelInner::

Decorating a variable with the code:TessLevelInner built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the inner tessellation levels for the current
patch.
+
In tessellation control shaders, the variable decorated with
code:TessLevelInner can: be written to, which controls the tessellation
factors for the resulting patch.
These values are used by the tessellator to control primitive tessellation
and can: be read by tessellation evaluation shaders.
+
In tessellation evaluation shaders, the variable decorated with
code:TessLevelInner can: read the values written by the tessellation control
shader.
+
The code:TessLevelInner decoration must: be used only within tessellation
control and tessellation evaluation shaders.
+
In a tessellation control shader, any variable decorated with
code:TessLevelInner must: be declared using the code:Output storage class.
+
In a tessellation evaluation shader, any variable decorated with
code:TessLevelInner must: be declared using the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:TessLevelInner must: be declared as an
array of size two, containing 32-bit floating-point values.

code:VertexIndex::

Decorating a variable with the code:VertexIndex built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the index of the vertex that is being processed
by the current vertex shader invocation.
For non-indexed draws, this variable begins at the pname:firstVertex
parameter to flink:vkCmdDraw or the pname:firstVertex member of a structure
consumed by flink:vkCmdDrawIndirect and increments by one for each vertex in
the draw.
For indexed draws, its value is the content of the index buffer for the
vertex plus the pname:vertexOffset parameter to flink:vkCmdDrawIndexed or
the pname:vertexOffset member of the structure consumed by
flink:vkCmdDrawIndexedIndirect.
+
The code:VertexIndex decoration must: be used only within vertex shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:VertexIndex must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:VertexIndex must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

[NOTE]
.Note
====
code:VertexIndex starts at the same starting value for each instance.
====

ifdef::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_multiview[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-viewindex]]
code:ViewIndex::

The code:ViewIndex decoration can: be applied to a shader input which will
be filled with the index of the view that is being processed by the current
shader invocation.
+
If multiview is enabled in the render pass, this value will be one of the
bits set in the view mask of the subpass the pipeline is compiled against.
If multiview is not enabled in the render pass, this value will be zero.
+
The code:ViewIndex decoration must: not be used within compute shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:ViewIndex must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:ViewIndex must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

endif::VK_VERSION_1_1,VK_KHR_multiview[]

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-viewportindex]]
code:ViewportIndex::

Decorating a variable with the code:ViewportIndex built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the index of the viewport.
+
In a
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation evaluation, or
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
geometry shader, the variable decorated with code:ViewportIndex can be
written to with the viewport index to which the primitive produced by that
shader will be directed.
+
The selected viewport index is used to select the
ifndef::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
viewport transform and
endif::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
ifdef::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
viewport transform, scissor rectangle, and exclusive
endif::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
scissor rectangle.
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
+
The last active _vertex processing stage_ (in pipeline order) controls the
code:ViewportIndex that is used.
Outputs in previous shader stages are not used, even if the last stage fails
to write the code:ViewportIndex.
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
+
If the last active vertex processing stage shader entry point's interface
does not include a variable decorated with code:ViewportIndex, then the
first viewport is used.
If a vertex processing stage shader entry point's interface includes a
variable decorated with code:ViewportIndex, it must: write the same value to
code:ViewportIndex for all output vertices of a given primitive.
+
The code:ViewportIndex decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation evaluation,
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
geometry, and fragment shaders.
+
In a
ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation evaluation, or
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2,VK_EXT_shader_viewport_index_layer[]
geometry shader, any variable decorated with code:ViewportIndex must: be
declared using the code:Output storage class.
+
In a fragment shader, the variable decorated with code:ViewportIndex
contains the viewport index of the primitive that the fragment invocation
belongs to.
+
In a fragment shader, any variable decorated with code:ViewportIndex must:
be declared using the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ViewportIndex must: be declared as a scalar
32-bit integer.

ifdef::VK_NV_viewport_array2[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-viewportmask]]
code:ViewportMaskNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:ViewportMaskNV built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the viewport mask.
+
In a
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation evaluation, or geometry shader, the variable decorated
with code:ViewportMaskNV can be written to with the mask of which viewports
the primitive produced by that shader will directed.
+
The code:ViewportMaskNV variable must: be an array that has
[eq]#{lceil}(sname:VkPhysicalDeviceLimits::pname:maxViewports / 32){rceil}#
elements.
When a shader writes to this variable, bit B of element M controls whether a
primitive is emitted to viewport [eq]#32 {times} M +B#.
The viewports indicated by the mask are used to select the
ifndef::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
viewport transform and
endif::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
ifdef::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
viewport transform, scissor rectangle, and exclusive
endif::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
scissor rectangle that a primitive will be transformed by.
+
The last active _vertex processing stage_ (in pipeline order) controls the
code:ViewportMaskNV that is used.
Outputs in previous shader stages are not used, even if the last stage fails
to write the code:ViewportMaskNV.
When code:ViewportMaskNV is written by the final vertex processing stage,
any variable decorated with code:ViewportIndex in the fragment shader will
have the index of the viewport that was used in generating that fragment.
+
If a vertex processing stage shader entry point's interface includes a
variable decorated with code:ViewportMaskNV, it must: write the same value
to code:ViewportMaskNV for all output vertices of a given primitive.
+
The code:ViewportMaskNV decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation evaluation, and geometry shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ViewportMaskNV must: be declared using the
code:Output storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ViewportMaskNV must: be declared as an
array of 32-bit integers.
endif::VK_NV_viewport_array2[]

ifdef::VK_NVX_multiview_per_view_attributes+VK_NV_viewport_array2[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-viewportmaskperview]]
code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV::

Decorating a variable with the code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV built-in
decoration will make that variable contain the mask of viewports primitives
are broadcast to, for each view.
+
The code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
mesh,
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
vertex, tessellation control, tessellation evaluation, and geometry shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV must: be declared
using the code:Output storage class.
+
The value written to an element of code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV in the last
vertex processing stage is a bitmask indicating which viewports the
primitive will be directed to.
The primitive will be broadcast to the viewport corresponding to each
non-zero bit of the bitmask, and that viewport index is used to select the
ifndef::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
viewport transform and
endif::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
ifdef::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
viewport transform, scissor rectangle, and exclusive
endif::VK_NV_scissor_exclusive[]
scissor rectangle, for each view.
The same values must: be written to all vertices in a given primitive, or
else the set of viewports used for that primitive is undefined:.
+
Any variable decorated with code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV must: be declared as
an array of scalar 32-bit integers with at least as many elements as the
maximum view in the subpass's view mask plus one.
The array must: be indexed by a constant or specialization constant.
+
Elements of the array correspond to views in a multiview subpass, and those
elements corresponding to views in the view mask of the subpass the shader
is compiled against will be used as the viewport mask value for those views.
code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV output in an earlier vertex processing stage is
not available as an input in the subsequent vertex processing stage.
+
Although code:ViewportMaskNV is an array, code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV is not
a two-dimensional array.
Instead, code:ViewportMaskPerViewNV is limited to 32 viewports.
endif::VK_NVX_multiview_per_view_attributes+VK_NV_viewport_array2[]

code:WorkgroupId::

Decorating a variable with the code:WorkgroupId built-in decoration will
make that variable contain the global workgroup that the current invocation
is a member of.
Each component ranges from a base value to a [eq]#base {plus} count# value,
based on the parameters passed into the dispatch commands.
+
The code:WorkgroupId decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh, or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
compute shaders.
+
The variable decorated with code:WorkgroupId must: be declared using the
code:Input storage class.
+
The variable decorated with code:WorkgroupId must: be declared as a
three-component vector of 32-bit integers.

code:WorkgroupSize::

Decorating an object with the code:WorkgroupSize built-in decoration will
make that object contain the dimensions of a local workgroup.
If an object is decorated with the code:WorkgroupSize decoration, this must:
take precedence over any execution mode set for code:LocalSize.
+
The code:WorkgroupSize decoration must: be used only within
ifdef::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
task, mesh, or
endif::VK_NV_mesh_shader[]
compute shaders.
+
The object decorated with code:WorkgroupSize must: be a specialization
constant or a constant.
+
The object decorated with code:WorkgroupSize must: be declared as a
three-component vector of 32-bit integers.

ifdef::VK_NVX_raytracing[]
[[interfaces-builtin-variables-worldraydirection]]
code:WorldRayDirectionNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:WorldRayDirectionNVX decoration will
specify the direction of the ray being processed, in world space.
+
The code:WorldRayDirectionNVX decoration must: only be used within
intersection, any hit, closest hit, and miss shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:WorldRayDirectionNVX must: be declared
using the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:WorldRayDirectionNVX must: be declared as a
three-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-worldrayorigin]]
code:WorldRayOriginNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:WorldRayOriginNVX decoration will specify
the origin of the ray being processed, in world space.
+
The code:WorldRayOriginNVX decoration must: only be used within
intersection, any hit, closest hit, and miss shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:WorldRayOriginNVX must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:WorldRayOriginNVX must: be declared as a
three-component vector of 32-bit floating-point values.

[[interfaces-builtin-variables-worldtoobject]]
code:WorldToObjectNVX::

A variable decorated with the code:WorldToObjectNVX decoration will contain
the current world-to-object transformation matrix, which is determined by
the instance of the current intersection.
+
The code:WorldToObjectNVX decoration must: only be used within intersection,
any hit, and closest hit shaders.
+
Any variable decorated with code:WorldToObjectNVX must: be declared using
the code:Input storage class.
+
Any variable decorated with code:WorldToObjectNVX must: be declared as a
matrix with four columns of three-component vectors of 32-bit floating-point
values.
endif::VK_NVX_raytracing[]