Demand-driven execution
Understand pipelines, deferred evaluation, line caches, and why operation order changes memory use. Execution model
Foundations
Many libvips performance advantages and failure modes come from one core idea: build a graph of image operations first, then compute pixels in response to an output demand. These concepts apply across every binding.
Core mental models
Section titled “Core mental models”Access patterns
Separate sequential access, random access, and materialisation, including failures that surface at export. Access patterns
Bands and alpha
Distinguish colour channels, transparency, and premultiplied alpha to avoid dark compositing edges. Alpha foundations
ICC and colour spaces
See how profiles give pixel values meaning and bound CMYK, Display P3, and sRGB conversion claims. Colour management
How to use this section
Section titled “How to use this section”Read the execution model first, then follow the access or colour path that matches your task. Recipes link back to these concepts, while troubleshooting pages map symptoms to the relevant execution or metadata boundary.
Where to go next
Section titled “Where to go next”- Apply the concepts in complete code: Recipes.
- Understand service lifecycle and input limits: Production.
- Work backwards from an error message: Troubleshooting.