Specifies the primitive or primitives that will be created from vertices presented between glBegin and the subsequent glEnd. Ten symbolic constants are accepted: GL_POINTS, GL_LINES, GL_LINE_STRIP, GL_LINE_LOOP, GL_TRIANGLES, GL_TRIANGLE_STRIP, GL_TRIANGLE_FAN, GL_QUADS, GL_QUAD_STRIP, and GL_POLYGON.

Treats each vertex as a single point. Vertex $\mathit{n}$ defines point $\mathit{n}$. $\mathit{N}$ points are drawn.

Treats each pair of vertices as an independent line segment. Vertices $2\mathit{n}-1$ and $2\mathit{n}$ define line $\mathit{n}$. $\frac{\mathit{N}}{2}$ lines are drawn.

Draws a connected group of line segments from the first vertex to the last. Vertices $\mathit{n}$ and $\mathit{n}+1$ define line $\mathit{n}$. $\mathit{N}-1$ lines are drawn.

Draws a connected group of line segments from the first vertex to the last, then back to the first. Vertices $\mathit{n}$ and $\mathit{n}+1$ define line $\mathit{n}$. The last line, however, is defined by vertices $\mathit{N}$ and $1$. $\mathit{N}$ lines are drawn.

Treats each triplet of vertices as an independent triangle. Vertices $3\mathit{n}-2$, $3\mathit{n}-1$, and $3\mathit{n}$ define triangle $\mathit{n}$. $\frac{\mathit{N}}{3}$ triangles are drawn.

Draws a connected group of triangles. One triangle is defined for each vertex presented after the first two vertices. For odd $\mathit{n}$, vertices $\mathit{n}$, $\mathit{n}+1$, and $\mathit{n}+2$ define triangle $\mathit{n}$. For even $\mathit{n}$, vertices $\mathit{n}+1$, $\mathit{n}$, and $\mathit{n}+2$ define triangle $\mathit{n}$. $\mathit{N}-2$ triangles are drawn.

Draws a connected group of triangles. One triangle is defined for each vertex presented after the first two vertices. Vertices $1$, $\mathit{n}+1$, and $\mathit{n}+2$ define triangle $\mathit{n}$. $\mathit{N}-2$ triangles are drawn.

Treats each group of four vertices as an independent quadrilateral. Vertices $4\mathit{n}-3$, $4\mathit{n}-2$, $4\mathit{n}-1$, and $4\mathit{n}$ define quadrilateral $\mathit{n}$. $\frac{\mathit{N}}{4}$ quadrilaterals are drawn.

Draws a connected group of quadrilaterals. One quadrilateral is defined for each pair of vertices presented after the first pair. Vertices $2\mathit{n}-1$, $2\mathit{n}$, $2\mathit{n}+2$, and $2\mathit{n}+1$ define quadrilateral $\mathit{n}$. $\frac{\mathit{N}}{2}-1$ quadrilaterals are drawn. Note that the order in which vertices are used to construct a quadrilateral from strip data is different from that used with independent data.

Draws a single, convex polygon. Vertices $1$ through $\mathit{N}$ define this polygon.