March 30, 2025 – A significant event occurred in the world of graphics systems for Linux: the announcement of X12 and its reference implementation Xero, which already claim to be serious competitors to the popular Wayland protocol. Developers are confident that their new creation will bring users many advantages, helping to overcome the shortcomings of older technology.
Advantages of Xero:
One of Xero's key strengths is its high performance. The new protocol is designed with modern graphical technologies in mind and optimized for multi-core processors, significantly improving rendering speed. As a result, users will enjoy smoother and more responsive graphics.
Additionally, Xero offers extended customization options. The new permission and access management system provides developers with flexibility in managing graphical resources, which can sometimes be a challenge in Wayland. This allows for the creation of more complex and dynamic interfaces.
It is also worth noting that Xero provides better integration with modern graphics cards and graphics APIs such as Vulkan and OpenGL. This makes it a preferred choice for game and application developers looking to leverage the latest advancements in graphics technology.
Compatibility with Legacy Applications: With the built-in XLegacyBridge subsystem, Xero ensures a high level of compatibility with legacy applications that still use X11, making the transition to the new system smoother.
Graphics Work: The XRenderBoost subsystem in Xero offers significantly improved rendering quality through hardware acceleration support and enhanced OpenGL integration. This allows developers to create more efficient and visually appealing applications.
API for Window Management: The new XeroWindowAPI simplifies window management, allowing developers to easily add, hide, and move windows, as well as utilize events related to user interaction.
The XeroRaundWin API for implementing round windows transforms any window into a round or oval shape, marking the future of a new type of windows in Gnome45, as this version is expected to abandon outdated rectangular windows.
Application Security and Isolation: Xero introduces the concept of isolated execution through the AppSandbox subsystem, ensuring robust protection of user data while minimizing risks associated with malware.
Support for Network Protocols: The new XNetProtocol subsystem guarantees stable application performance in network environments, allowing remote graphics rendering without performance loss.
Disadvantages of Wayland:
While Wayland has become the standard for many distributions, it still has several drawbacks. For instance, the limited support for legacy applications and systems can pose issues for users relying on older software solutions. Furthermore, compatibility challenges may arise, as some programs might function unpredictably due to specific implementations of the protocol.
Xero, on the other hand, aims to address these issues by offering improved compatibility and supporting a broader range of applications. This makes the new implementation attractive to an audience that wants to use both old and new technologies without limitations.
The release of X12 and Xero marks a significant new phase in the development of graphical systems for Linux. As users increasingly expect high performance and flexibility from their systems, the emergence of a competitor to Wayland could change the game's dynamics in the market. Now, developers and users will have to wait and see how the new system performs under real conditions.
Source: linux.org.ru
