# Mapbox GL Native

> cross-platform map rendering library

**Wikidata**: [Q117475599](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117475599)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mapbox-gl-native

## Summary
Mapbox GL Native is a cross-platform, open-source software library designed for rendering maps. Developed by Mapbox, it utilizes C++ (Q2407) and OpenGL Shading Language to display interactive maps from sources like vector tiles and GeoJSON. The project is currently classified as abandonware, with its active development status dating back to 2020.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Open-source software, cross-platform software, software library, and abandonware (status effective 2020).
- **Developer:** Mapbox, an American geospatial technology company founded in 2010.
- **License:** 2-clause BSD License.
- **Source Code:** Hosted on GitHub; functioned as a monorepo from February 9, 2015, to November 25, 2019.
- **Programming Languages:** Q2407 and OpenGL Shading Language.
- **Dependencies:** Requires RapidJSON and Mapbox GL JS.
- **Supported Formats:** Mapbox Vector Tiles, GeoJSON, Mapbox Style Specification, TileJSON, PNG, JPEG, and MPEG-4 Part 14.
- **Version History:** Includes releases such as v0.4.0 (June 2015), v0.5.0 (July 2015), and v5.0.2 (April 2017).
- **Aliases:** mapbox-gl-native, gl-native, mbgl.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Mapbox GL Native used for?
A: It is a cross-platform map rendering library used to display interactive maps in software applications. It reads formats like GeoJSON and Vector Tiles to render visual maps using OpenGL.

### Q: Is Mapbox GL Native still actively maintained?
A: No. According to structured data records, the software is classified as "abandonware" with a start time of 2020.

### Q: What technologies does Mapbox GL Native depend on?
A: The library depends on Mapbox GL JS (an interactive map library for the web) and RapidJSON (a JSON library). It is written using Q2407 and OpenGL Shading Language.

## Why It Matters
Mapbox GL Native serves as a significant tool in the geospatial technology landscape because it bridges the gap between web mapping and native application performance. By utilizing OpenGL Shading Language and a cross-platform C++ core (identified as Q2407), it allows developers to embed high-performance, customizable maps directly into desktop and mobile applications rather than relying solely on web views.

Although it is now classified as abandonware (as of 2020), the library played a crucial role for Mapbox in providing a portable, open-source solution for rendering complex map styles and vector tiles. Its ability to read the Mapbox Style Specification and render formats like GeoJSON natively allowed for smoother user experiences and deeper customization compared to standard raster map solutions.

## Notable For
- **Cross-Platform Rendering:** It provides a single library capable of rendering maps across multiple computing platforms using OpenGL.
- **Vector Tile Support:** Distinguished by its ability to read and render Mapbox Vector Tiles and the Mapbox Style Specification.
- **Open Source Status:** Released under a permissive 2-clause BSD License, allowing for broad redistribution and use.
- **Abandonware Status:** Distinctly marked in knowledge bases as having ceased active development in 2020.
- **Corporate Backing:** Created by Mapbox, a major American entity in the cartography and software development industry.

## Body

### Development and History
Mapbox GL Native was developed by Mapbox, a geospatial technology company founded in 2010 in Washington, D.C. The project was managed as a monorepo in its source code repository between February 9, 2015, and November 25, 2019.

Significant release milestones include:
- **v0.4.0:** Released June 19, 2015.
- **v0.5.0:** Released July 10, 2015.
- **v0.5.1:** Released July 13, 2015.
- **v5.0.2:** Released April 4, 2017.

The project's status shifted to "abandonware" beginning in 2020.

### Technical Specifications
The library is built using **Q2407** and **OpenGL Shading Language** (a shading language inceptioned in 2004). It functions as a software library that is compatible with multiple computing platforms (cross-platform software).

To operate, Mapbox GL Native depends on specific external software components:
- **RapidJSON:** A JSON library used for data parsing.
- **Mapbox GL JS:** An interactive map library for the web.

### File Compatibility
Mapbox GL Native is designed to read and process a variety of vector, raster, and data formats, including:
- **Data:** Mapbox Vector Tiles, GeoJSON, TileJSON.
- **Styling:** Mapbox Style Specification.
- **Media:** Portable Network Graphics (PNG), JPEG File Interchange Format, MPEG-4 Part 14.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Mapbox GL Native",
  "description": "A cross-platform, open-source map rendering library developed by Mapbox.",
  "url": "https://www.mapbox.com/mobile-maps-sdk",
  "sameAs": "https://github.com/mapbox/mapbox-gl-native",
  "additionalType": "Software Library"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/mapbox/mapbox-gl-native/blob/cf734a2fec960025350d8de0d01ad38aeae155a0/LICENSE.md)
2. [Release 0.4.0. 2015](https://github.com/mapbox/mapbox-gl-native/releases/tag/v0.4.0)
3. [Release 0.5.0. 2015](https://github.com/mapbox/mapbox-gl-native/releases/tag/v0.5.0)
4. [Release 0.5.1. 2015](https://github.com/mapbox/mapbox-gl-native/releases/tag/v0.5.1)
5. [Release 5.0.2. 2017](https://github.com/mapbox/mapbox-gl-native/releases/tag/v5.0.2)
6. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/mapbox/mapbox-gl-native)