DirectInput, XInput, WMIInput, and PureBasic

SFSxOI · Post by **SFSxOI** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:02 pm

Do the mouse functions in PureBasic 4.3x use DirectInput?

I know that (in Vista and Windows 7 at least) DirectX still uses DirectInput for mouse and keyboard. I also know that (in Vista and Windows 7 at least) DirectX also uses XInput for controllers only (like the XBox 360 controller), and uses WMIInput for media based items.

Will there be any plans to add DirectInput, XInput, and WMIInput, capabilitites to PureBasic without the need for things like PureBasic WindowScreen, OpenWindow, sprite stuff, etc....so that PureBasic will become more flexable for controlling or communicating with other applications/use input devices?

Fluid Byte · Post by **Fluid Byte** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:37 pm

What should be accomplished with DirectInput in a non-game environment that can't be achieved with API keyboard/mouse access?

SFSxOI · Post by **SFSxOI** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:25 pm

Fluid Byte wrote:What should be accomplished with DirectInput in a non-game environment that can't be achieved with API keyboard/mouse access?

With DirectX DirectInput you can develop automation and use capability for use with other DirectX applications that use DirectInput for controllers. You can't do this with regular API overall because DirectInput seizes control of the controller and doesn't allow regular API use of the controller. With DirectInput you can share control (and even seize exclusive control) of controllers (mouse, keyboard, joystick) with DirectInput even if the application uses DirectInput. DirectInput also allows for direct controller interface control manipulation. This all allows for more flexable automation and control for DirectX based applications.

It is mostly games that use DirectX for graphics and DirectInput for controllers but the applications does not have to be completly DirectX to use DirectInput, a lot of things other then games are starting to use DirectInput, XInput, WMIInput. For example, consoles; applications developed for consoles use the XInput to interface with the controller for the most part and not API, and not all of these applications are games.