VK_KHR_variable_pointers(3) Manual Page

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The VK_KHR_variable_pointers extension allows implementations to indicate their level of support for the SPV_KHR_variable_pointers SPIR-V extension. The SPIR-V extension allows shader modules to use invocation-private pointers into uniform and/or storage buffers, where the pointer values can be dynamic and non-uniform.

The SPV_KHR_variable_pointers extension introduces two capabilities. The first, VariablePointersStorageBuffer, must be supported by all implementations of this extension. The second, VariablePointers, is optional.

All functionality in this extension is included in core Vulkan 1.1, with the KHR suffix omitted, however support for the variablePointersStorageBuffer feature is made optional. The original type, enum and command names are still available as aliases of the core functionality.

1) Do we need an optional property for the SPIR-V VariablePointersStorageBuffer capability or should it be mandatory when this extension is advertised?

RESOLVED: Add it as a distinct feature, but make support mandatory. Adding it as a feature makes the extension easier to include in a future core API version. In the extension, the feature is mandatory, so that presence of the extension guarantees some functionality. When included in a core API version, the feature would be optional.

2) Can support for these capabilities vary between shader stages?

RESOLVED: No, if the capability is supported in any stage it must be supported in all stages.

3) Should the capabilities be features or limits?

RESOLVED: Features, primarily for consistency with other similar extensions.

No cross-references are available

For more information, see the Vulkan Specification

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