XFree86® and DPS : Introduction
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## 1. Introduction

Display Postscript (or DPS for short) is a rendering extension for X11. DPS is slightly atypical in that it is based on code mobility, the ability to send executable code from client to server. Thus, a DPS client does not request that a line should be rendered; instead, it uploads code to the server which, when executed, causes a line to be drawn.

This document does not aim at teaching programming with DPS; as it is only a summary description of the DPS support code included with XFree86. More information about DPS, including a DPS bibliography, is available from the DPS extension site.

> `Note: Adobe, PostScript and Display PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated which may be registered in certain jurisdictions.`

As with all X11 extensions, DPS consists of client-side and server-side components. The DPS client side consists of a number of libraries and a number of tools for programming and configuration. The DPS server side may consist either of an X server extension, or of a client-side process known as the ``DPS agent.'' In this latter case, the term ``server-side'' is somewhat misleading.

At the time of writing, only the client side is included with XFree86; the server side must be obtained separately. Please see server side later in this document for more information.

XFree86® and DPS : Introduction
Previous: XFree86® and DPS
Next: The DPS client side