Explain shader compilers and graphics APIs

Q: Explain shader compilers and graphics APIs

This is a System Design interview question from NVIDIA for Software Engineer roles. View the full question and solution on PracHub.

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Question

Shader Compilation Pipeline, API Comparison, and Minimal Compiler Design

Context

Assume you are targeting modern discrete GPUs and common programmable stages (vertex, fragment/pixel, compute). Explain how shader source (HLSL/GLSL) becomes GPU-executable code and how different graphics APIs influence compilation artifacts and runtime usage.

Tasks

End-to-end shader compilation pipeline

From HLSL/GLSL source to GPU-executable code, cover:
- Front-end: preprocessing, parsing, semantic analysis
- Intermediate representations (IR): kinds, why they’re used
- Optimization passes: typical and GPU-specific
- Reflection metadata: what is captured and how it’s used
- Back-end code generation: SPIR-V/DXIL/GLSL and driver JIT to GPU ISA

API comparison: DirectX-like vs Vulkan/OpenGL

Compare resource binding models
Compare command submission and synchronization
Compare pipeline state management and compilation artifacts

Minimal shader compiler design

Outline a minimal front end (language support, AST/IR, validation)
Outline a minimal back end (targets, code emission, validation, reflection)
Mention key trade-offs and pitfalls

Explain shader compilers and graphics APIs

Shader Compilation Pipeline, API Comparison, and Minimal Compiler Design

Context

Tasks

Solution (Locked)

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