1. A computer-implemented method for configuring a graphics processing pipeline (GPP) to process data according to one or more shader programs, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of pointers, wherein each pointer references a different shader program header (SPH) included in a plurality of SPHs, and each SPH is associated with a different shader program that executes within the GPP; and for each SPH included in the plurality of SPHs: identifying one or more GPP configuration parameters included in the SPH and adjusting the GPP based on the one or more GPP configuration parameters.