c++ - What does the printf function in HLSL do? -

the msdn hlsl reference states printf:

"submits custom shader message information queue."

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ff728755%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

what information queue , how can see shader message? mean when used in pixel shader output width*height (screen pixels) messages?

thanks!

it can used shader tracing, basically. d3d11_trace_step structure can message passed printf hlsl, example following, seems okay @ first glance (although written in d) :

https://github.com/evilrat666/directx-d/blob/master/src/directx/d3d11shadertracing.d

can used interface access tracing information :

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/hh446840(v=vs.85).aspx

disclaimer : found researching topic, cannot provide actual code example. debugging shaders rather advise using renderdoc or vs graphics debugger