I do like this bit from FAQ - OpenGL Wiki
Do modern GPUs still support the fixed-function pipeline?
Main article: Legacy OpenGL
Modern GPUs no longer provide specialized hardware for the purpose of doing specific calculations in the OpenGL pipeline. Everything is done with shaders. In order to preserve compatibility, the GL driver generates a shader which emulates the fixed functionality.
Using OpenGL fixed pipeline is like using Java 1.2 today. Just don’t do it, I’m sorry, I don’t want to squash dreams but there is no good outcome. Even learning the fixed pipeline is a waste of time. It’s like still using Internet Explorer 6. It just has to stop, NOW, if not yesterday even.