# Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language

> printer control language

**Wikidata**: [Q1422842](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1422842)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-GL)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hewlett-packard-graphics-language

## Summary
The Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (HPGL) is a printer control language developed by the American information technology company Hewlett-Packard. Functioning as a page description language and vector graphics file format, it describes the appearance of a printed page at a higher level than an actual output bitmap.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Hewlett-Packard (American information technology company).
- **Also Known As:** HPGL, HP-GL, HP-GL/2.
- **Primary Function:** Printer control language and page description language.
- **Format Type:** Vector graphics file format.
- **Media Type:** application/vnd.hp-HPGL.
- **Technical Capability:** Describes the appearance of a printed page in a higher level than an actual output bitmap.
- **Instance Of:** Page description language, Vector graphics file format.
- **Distinction:** Different from the High Performance Geostatistics Library.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (HPGL)?
A: HPGL is a printer control language and vector graphics file format developed by Hewlett-Packard. It is used to describe the appearance of printed pages at a level higher than a basic output bitmap.

### Q: Who developed HPGL?
A: The language was developed by Hewlett-Packard, a major American information technology company founded in 1939.

### Q: What type of file format is HPGL?
A: HPGL is a vector graphics file format and a page description language. Its internet media type is registered as application/vnd.hp-HPGL.

## Why It Matters
The Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language matters because it serves as a fundamental bridge between digital instructions and physical print output. As a page description language, it provides a standardized method for describing the appearance of a printed page at a higher level of abstraction than a simple bitmap. This allows for more efficient processing of complex graphics and text, ensuring that the data sent to a printer is interpretable and renders correctly.

Developed by Hewlett-Packard, a titan in the computer hardware and software industry, HPGL became a significant standard in printing technology. Its role as a vector graphics format is particularly important; unlike raster formats that rely on fixed pixels, HPGL's vector nature allows for scalable images that maintain quality at any size. This capability made it a critical tool in technical and design fields where precision is paramount. By establishing a distinct language for printer control, it helped standardize how software communicates with hardware, influencing the development of printing protocols in the broader information technology industry.

## Notable For
- **Vector-Based Control:** It is distinct for being a vector graphics file format, allowing for scalable descriptions of images rather than fixed bitmaps.
- **High-Level Page Description:** It describes print appearance at a level higher than an actual output bitmap, facilitating complex layout rendering.
- **Corporate Origin:** It was created by Hewlett-Packard, a pioneering American company in the IT sector.
- **Standardization:** It is recognized by specific identifiers, including a Library of Congress Authority ID (sh90000973) and an IANA media type.

## Body

### Definition and Function
Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (HPGL) is classified as a printer control language and a page description language. Its primary technical function is to instruct printers on how to render an image or text. Specifically, it describes the appearance of a printed page in a higher level than an actual output bitmap. This classification places it among computer languages that manage layout and graphic data distinct from raw pixel data.

### Developer and Origin
The language was created by **Hewlett-Packard**, an American information technology company. The company, founded on July 2, 1939, and headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, developed HPGL as part of its broader portfolio in the computer hardware and software industries.

### Technical Specifications
HPGL is identified by several technical aliases and properties:
*   **Aliases:** HPGL, HP-GL, HP-GL/2.
*   **Media Type:** `application/vnd.hp-HPGL` (registered with IANA on February 28, 1997).
*   **Format Classification:** It is an instance of a "page description language" and "vector graphics file format."

### Identification and Context
The language is distinct from the **High Performance Geostatistics Library**, sharing a similar acronym but serving an entirely different purpose. HPGL is widely documented across various knowledge bases, holding identifiers such as:
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** sh90000973
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0gc3z
*   **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007546685005171

External documentation and format specifications are archived at resources like `paulbourke.net/dataformats/hpgl/`. It maintains a presence in multiple language editions of Wikipedia, including English, German, Spanish, French, and Japanese.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [1997](https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/application/vnd.hp-HPGL)
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File