win32 input handling

You can use GetAsyncKeyState(key code) for input, I found it useful in creating my own input module. Here is the link to it at MSDN.

You can use GetAsyncKeyState(key code) for input, I found it useful in creating my own input module. Here is the link to it at MSDN.

That's all very well for keyboard input but there doesn't seem any way of changing the game state when a menu item is selected or the mouse is clicked. It will also make saving the game state very difficult as when someone clicks save on the menu there's no way to access the game state unless there is global variable.

how can you do anything useful without needing global variables?[/quote]
I often use a class that handles the window procedure and passes information as needed to other objects.

It actual does handle mouse clicks in fact all 5 of my mouse buttons and you can use GetCursorPos(..) for mouse coordinates.

I use callbacks for my input. I have a separate window class that allows storing callback functors that are triggered by a specific windows message. ie my mouse class registers functions for the messages key up and key down, it then adjusts it's state based on what has happened. I like this method because I never have to update the input on my own. I can further register functors with the input class... such as UI responding when a mouse button has been pressed. rather than constantly checking every frame if the button has been pressed.