Bresenham's line algorithm is a fundamental algorithm used for drawing lines on raster devices, such as computer screens. It is designed to be efficient, using only integer arithmetic, which is crucial for performance in low-level graphics programming. Below is an in-depth explanation of how the algorithm works.
Working Principle of Bresenham's Line Algorithm
Basic Concept
The fundamental idea of Bresenham's line algorithm is to choose the pixel that is closest to the ideal line between two endpoints on a raster grid. The algorithm works by incrementing one coordinate (usually the x-coordinate) and deciding when to increment the other coordinate (y-coordinate) based on an error term. This error term helps to determine when a vertical step is necessary to keep the line as close to the ideal path as possible.