Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Graphical Kernel System
     
         (GKS) The widely recognised standard
        {ANSI} X3.124 for graphical input/output.  GKS is worked on by
        the {ISO}/{IEC} group {JTC1/SC24}.  It provides applications
        programmers with standard methods of creating, manipulating,
        and displaying or printing computer graphics on different
        types of computer graphics output devices.  It provides an
        abstraction to save programmers from dealing with the detailed
        capabilities and interfaces of specific hardware.
     
        GKS defines a basic two-dimensional graphics system with:
        uniform input and output {primitives}; a uniform interface to
        and from a {GKS metafile} for storing and transferring
        graphics information.  It supports a wide range of graphics
        output devices including such as {printers}, {plotters},
        {vector graphics} devices, {storage tubes}, {refresh
        displays}, {raster displays}, and {microfilm recorders}.
     
        (1999-04-01)