Basic DirectInput question ...

You are evil for even suggesting that you use the windows api functions!!! just kidddin but really directinput allows for better control (as far as setting the co-op lvl). I think when you get down to it it''s easier and faster. But i suppose for some things using the windows api might be better. But if you''re making a quake or somthing use directinput.

The only thing that defines man from animal is our knowledge of computer programming.

I hope I wasn''t suggesting that i use windows api functions for input, because I dont. I just wanna know the advantages of using DirectInput.

You can use keyboard, mouse, and joysticks easily. Some people say DirectInput is faster, but I don''t know. Tried API, tried DirectInput, can''t see the difference.

But I think DirectInput allows you to read every single key in your keyboard, including Ctrl, Alt, Shift. You can detect whether a user press a shift button..just the shift.

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My compiler generates one error message: "does not compile."

Mostly because of speed. The Windows API generally works through the message queue, meaning that any input has to wait to be processed, whereas DirectInput immediately queries the devices for their current state. You can, however, use hooks in certain cases, but again you are having to wait for device messages to work through every hook until it eventually gets to yours.



Jim Adams
home.att.net/~rpgbook
Author, Programming Role-Playing Games with DirectX
and Focus On: Advanced Animation with DirectX

If I am correct, using the API functions would only retrieve the status of every thing once per loop? (assuming the program accesses the message loop once per frame) Then an advantage would be you could accuratly count how many times a key was pressed which is needed for some games. This is more of a question than an answer for its something I''m wondering about.

I've found that Direct Input was pretty easy to setup and you did not have to deal with the Windows I/O. When you use Direct Input in Exclusive modes you can avoif the windows message pump all together. The mouse messages are not sent to it.

[snipped problem I was having with Direct Input]

I take it back. Direct Input is pretty easy if you don't make a junior programming error by not accessing the buffered array improperly.



Kressilac


[edited by - kressilac on November 26, 2002 11:07:49 PM]

quote:

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Original post by kressilac

I take it back. Direct Input is pretty easy if you don''t make a junior programming error by not accessing the buffered array improperly.

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Hi, i have problems with accessing the buffered arrays... would you look at my thread...please !!!

http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=220457