GStreamer
GStreamer is an open-source multimedia framework that enables developers to create applications for handling audio, video, and streaming media. It provides a pipeline-based architecture where media flows through a series of interconnected elements (sources, filters, sinks) for processing, allowing flexible construction of complex media workflows. It supports a wide range of codecs, formats, and protocols, making it suitable for tasks like playback, recording, streaming, and editing across various platforms.
Developers should learn GStreamer when building multimedia applications that require robust, cross-platform media handling, such as video players, audio editors, streaming servers, or real-time processing tools. It is particularly valuable for projects needing fine-grained control over media pipelines, integration with custom hardware (e.g., cameras or audio devices), or support for diverse formats without reinventing low-level code. Use cases include embedded systems, IoT devices, desktop applications, and server-side media processing.