LinuxQuestions.org - Should I use a framebuffer? (fbdev)

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Should I use a framebuffer? (fbdev)

Hello, I was trying to understand what frambuffer is. I'll list a couple of questions I have right off the bat. I'm sure more will generate after reading some responses.

Is this something that I should use?(i'd like to learn about it so this is most likely a yes...)

Will this only work on kernels 2.0.x or below?

Is this essentially a light weight graphics driver that should only be used if your video card doesn't have a supported graphics driver?

It is essentially a vga text console which predates the X windows system's widespread use.

If your box is very old, maybe you should; If you never run X you should; Otherwise, there is no need unless your video driver requires it.

Give us more details on the box - age, video card type, drivers in use & do you use X?

It works for latest kernels as well (4.x).

A framebuffer is region of memory with each pixel denoted by double word unit 32 bit or less depending on colour i.e. 32 bits per pixel(32bpp) or 24bpp or 16bpp or 8bpp.

I am pretty sure I run X because I use a GUI. I don't have a specific machine i want to run it on. It just confuses me so I wanted to try and figure out what it is. i thought it was just a generic video driver but it doesn't quite seem that it is. it seems more complicated than that.

What does it meant by "double word" I'm not really sure how to understand 32bpp vs 24bpp or 16bpp...is the higher the bpp the more rich the color will be?

Quote:

The Linux framebuffer (fbdev) is a graphic hardware-independent abstraction layer to show graphics on a computer monitor, typically on the console. The word framebuffer means a part of video memory containing a current video frame, and the Linux framebuffer means “access method to the framebuffer under the Linux kernel”, without relying on system-specific libraries such as SVGALib or another user space software.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_framebuffer

Quote:

The framebuffer's original function is as a video RAM cache to allow more flexibility to (older) video cards. Many newer cards come with framebuffers on board, which are often already compatible with many operating systems. Enabling framebuffer support in the Linux kernel will often cause graphical artifacts or black screen displays. For most newer cards, this option should not be selected when using the LiveDVD.

Source: https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Framebuffer

Try searching google if you need more of an explanation. Both of these links I gave you should be really informative on the topic.

The main benefit I find in a framebuffer these days is that you can make your fonts too small to read :-/.

I would consign it to history, unless you fulfill one of the conditions in post #2

8bpp - gray scale colours
16bpp - 65K colours
24bpp - 16 million colours
32bpp - 16 million colour plus gamma