gstreamer/docs/fwg/intro.sgml
Richard Boulton 3408d28133 Wrote introduction, and changed name to plugin writers guide (though files still need rename). I'll leave the filena...
Original commit message from CVS:
Wrote introduction, and changed name to plugin writers guide (though
files still need rename).  I'll leave the filenames as is for now, since
the name might still change again...
2001-01-07 00:12:46 +00:00

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<chapter id="cha-intro">
<title>Introduction</title>
<para>
<application>GStreamer</application> is a framework for creating
streaming media applications. It is extremely powerful and versatile,
and this versatility stems in part from its modularity, and its ability
to incorporate new modules seamlessly into its framework.
</para>
<sect1 id="sec-intro-doicare">
<title>Do I care?</title>
<para>
This guide explains how to write new modules for GStreamer. It is
relevant to:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem>
Anyone who wants to add support for new input and output
devices, often called sources and sinks. For example,
adding the ability to write to a new video output system
could be done by writing an appropriate sink plugin.
</listitem>
<listitem>
Anyone who wants to add support for new ways of processing
data in GStreamer, often called
filters. For example, a new data format converter could be
created.
</listitem>
<listitem>
Anyone who wants to extend GStreamer in
any way: you need to have an understanding of how the plugin system
works before you can understand the constraints it places on the
rest of the code. And you might be surprised at how much can be
done with plugins.
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
<para>
This guide is not relevant to you if you only want to use the existing
functionality of GStreamer, or use an application which uses GStreamer.
You lot can go away. Shoo... (You might find the <emphasis>GStreamer
Application Development Manual</emphasis> helpful though.)
</para>
</sect1>
<sect1 id="sec-intro-reading">
<title>Preliminary reading</title>
<para>
The reader should be familiar with the basic workings of
<application>GStreamer</application>. For a gentle introduction to
GStreamer, you may wish to read the <emphasis>GStreamer Application
Development Manual</emphasis>. Since
<application>GStreamer</application> adheres to the GTK+ programming
model, the reader is also assumed to understand the basics of GTK+.
</para>
</sect1>
</chapter>