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brew

Install glew with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper

OpenGL Extension Wrangler Library. Version 2.3.1 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-22.

Install commandSecurity notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install glew

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install glew

MacPorts ports tree · graphics/glew/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add glew

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · glew · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install glew-utils

Debian stable package indexes · glew-utils · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install glew

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · glew · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#glew

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/gl/glew/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S glew

Arch Linux sync databases · glew · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install glew

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · glew · source: download.opensuse.org

overview

Package summary

OpenGL Extension Wrangler Library

Commands and aliases

  • glewinfo
  • visualinfo

history

Project history and usage

GLEW, the OpenGL Extension Wrangler Library, is a C and C++ extension-loading library that discovers OpenGL, WGL, GLX, and EGL capabilities at runtime. It became a standard packaging target because OpenGL applications often need the same generated headers, library, and inspection tools across operating systems.

Project history

GLEW's copyright history names Milan Ikits, Marcelo E. Magallon, and Lev Povalahev in the early 2000s, and the project site records a long release line beginning before the 1.2.5 release in December 2004. The project later moved through SourceForge and GitHub, while continuing to distribute generated release snapshots.

The 1.x series tracked OpenGL 2.x, 3.x, and 4.x extension growth. GLEW 2.0 in 2016 added forward-compatible-context support plus OSMesa and EGL support, and GLEW 2.1 in 2017 added support for OpenGL 4.6.

Adoption history

GLEW's project news records inclusion in the OpenGL SDK and NVIDIA OpenGL SDK in 2007, an important adoption signal for an extension loader. The library's stability, permissive license, and simple include-and-initialize workflow helped it become a default dependency for tutorials, examples, and desktop OpenGL applications.

Package managers usually ship both the library and the `glewinfo` and `visualinfo` utilities. That turns GLEW from a build dependency into a diagnostics package for graphics stacks, useful when comparing driver extension exposure across Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD, and Mesa-based systems.

How it is used

Practitioners include `GL/glew.h`, create a valid OpenGL context, call `glewInit()`, and then test extension or version variables before using optional API entry points. `glewinfo` verifies extension entry points, while `visualinfo` reports visuals or pixel formats.

Developers who need new extension data can regenerate sources with the project's generation workflow, but the README recommends packaged release snapshots for most users.

Why package nerds care

GLEW matters to package maintainers because it smooths over a historically awkward boundary between graphics drivers, OpenGL headers, generated loaders, and application build systems. A distro-provided GLEW package lets many older and portable OpenGL projects avoid vendoring generated extension code.

Timeline

  • 2004: GLEW 1.2.5 released with new extensions and FreeBSD support.
  • 2007: GLEW included in the OpenGL SDK and NVIDIA OpenGL SDK.
  • 2016: GLEW 2.0 added forward-compatible contexts, OSMesa, and EGL support.
  • 2017: GLEW 2.1 added OpenGL 4.6 support.

Related projects

  • GLEW sits alongside OpenGL, Mesa, GLX, WGL, EGL, GLUT/freeglut, and SDK sample code that needs portable access to extension entry points.

security posture

Risk level: green

library-like package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

  • library-like package without higher-risk signals

Signals

  • metadata:library-like

Install behavior

  • No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
  • Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
  • Build metadata lists 1 build dependencies.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

CommandKindExposureNote
glewinfocliglobal executable
visualinfocliglobal executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-07-08
manager version2.3.1
manager updated2026-06-22
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected

https://glew.sourceforge.net/

install metadata

Package metadata

Package keybrew:glew
Version2.3.1
Package managerHomebrew
Package manager pagehttps://formulae.brew.sh/formula/glew
Homepagehttps://glew.sourceforge.net/
Repositoryhttps://github.com/nigels-com/glew
Upstream docshttps://glew.sourceforge.net/basic.html
LicenseBSD-3-Clause
Source archivehttps://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/glew/glew/2.3.1/glew-2.3.1.tgz
Last updated2026-06-22T14:03:34-07:00
Pulseupdated
Build dependenciescmake
Bottleavailable (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-installnot defined
Servicenone declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source DatabaseHomebrew formula API
Taphomebrew/core
Full Nameglew
Version Scheme0
Revision0
Head VersionHEAD
Bottle Stable Root URLhttps://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecatedno
Disabledno
Keg Onlyno
URL Keys
  • head
  • stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Debian apt95%

glew-utils 2.2.0-4+b2

OpenGL Extension Wrangler - utilities

http://glew.sourceforge.net

sudo apt install glew-utils
  • Section: utils
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 4 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: glew-utils from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libglew-dev 2.2.0-4+b2

OpenGL Extension Wrangler - development environment

http://glew.sourceforge.net

sudo apt install libglew-dev
  • Section: libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 5 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libglew-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libglew2.2 2.2.0-4+b2

OpenGL Extension Wrangler - runtime environment

http://glew.sourceforge.net

sudo apt install libglew2.2
  • Section: libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libglew2.2 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Nix95%

glew

nix profile install nixpkgs#glew
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/gl/glew/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1
Ubuntu apt95%

glew-utils 2.2.0-4build1

OpenGL Extension Wrangler - utilities

http://glew.sourceforge.net

sudo apt install glew-utils
  • Section: universe/libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 4 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: glew-utils from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

libglew-dev 2.2.0-4build1

OpenGL Extension Wrangler - development environment

http://glew.sourceforge.net

sudo apt install libglew-dev
  • Section: universe/libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 5 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libglew-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

libglew2.2 2.2.0-4build1

OpenGL Extension Wrangler - runtime environment

http://glew.sourceforge.net

sudo apt install libglew2.2
  • Section: universe/libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libglew2.2 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
apk95%

glew 2.3.1-r0

A cross-platform C/C++ extension loading library

https://glew.sourceforge.net/

sudo apk add glew
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: glew from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

glew-dev 2.3.1-r0

A cross-platform C/C++ extension loading library (development files)

https://glew.sourceforge.net/

sudo apk add glew-dev
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: glew-dev from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

glew-tools 2.3.1-r0

A cross-platform C/C++ extension loading library (tools)

https://glew.sourceforge.net/

sudo apk add glew-tools
  • License: GPL-2.0-or-later
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: glew-tools from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
dnf95%

glew 2.2.0-12.fc44

The OpenGL Extension Wrangler Library

https://github.com/nigels-com/glew

sudo dnf install glew
  • License: LicenseRef-Callaway-BSD AND LicenseRef-Callaway-MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 5 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: glew from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

glew-devel 2.2.0-12.fc44

Development files for glew

https://github.com/nigels-com/glew

sudo dnf install glew-devel
  • License: LicenseRef-Callaway-BSD AND LicenseRef-Callaway-MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: i686
  • Source Package: glew
  • 5 dependencies
  • 2 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: glew-devel from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
dnf95%

libGLEW 2.2.0-12.fc44

libGLEW

https://github.com/nigels-com/glew

sudo dnf install libGLEW
  • License: LicenseRef-Callaway-BSD AND LicenseRef-Callaway-MIT
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: i686
  • Source Package: glew
  • 4 dependencies
  • 2 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: libGLEW from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst
pacman95%

glew 2.3.1-1

The OpenGL Extension Wrangler Library

https://github.com/nigels-com/glew

sudo pacman -S glew
  • License: LicenseRef-glew
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • 5 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: glew from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz
zypper95%

glew 2.3.1-1.2

OpenGL Extension Wrangler Library

https://github.com/nigels-com/glew

sudo zypper install glew
  • License: BSD-3-Clause AND GPL-2.0-or-later AND MIT
  • Category: Development/Libraries/C and C++
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 5 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: glew from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst
zypper95%

glew-devel 2.3.1-1.2

Development files for glew

https://github.com/nigels-com/glew

sudo zypper install glew-devel
  • License: BSD-3-Clause AND GPL-2.0-or-later AND MIT
  • Category: Development/Libraries/C and C++
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: glew
  • 3 dependencies
  • 3 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Glew
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: glew-devel from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

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