DirectInput is a legacy application programming interface developed by American company Microsoft that collects user input via devices such as the mouse, keyboard, and gamepads. It also provides a system for action mapping, which allows the user to assign specific actions within a game to the buttons and axes of the input devices. Additionally it handles haptic feedback/force feedback (input/output) devices. Microsoft also introduced a input library called XInput specifically for the Xbox 360 controller.

DirectInput | Microsoft Learn
msdn.microsoft.com →This section provides information about the Microsoft DirectInput component of the Microsoft DirectX application programming interface (API). The DirectInput API is used to process data from a joystick, or other game controller. The use of DirectInput for keyboard and mouse input is not recommended. You should use Windows messages instead . The following sections describe how you can use DirectInput. Use this page to guide you through the documentation based on your level of experience as a DirectInput developer. Understanding DirectInput) . Introduction to the objects and interfaces of DirectInput, and how they are related to the Microsoft Windows message system. Read this section if you're new to DirectInput. Using DirectInput) . Guide to the API. This section contains more detailed conceptual information than the previous two sections, as well as information about the API elements you will use for setting up devices, retrieving data, and implementing force-feedback effects. If you're a novice, at least familiarize yourself with the contents of this section. Later, you can refer to topics as you need them. Use this section in conjunction with the DirectInput C/C++ Reference. Programming Tips and Tools) . Advanced programming topics and a guide to the DirectInput tools provided with the DirectX software development kit (SDK). DirectInput C/C++ Reference) . Reference information for the API. Use this section when you need to know the details of an interface, method, structure, macro, or other element. Ask Learn is an AI assistant that can answer questions, clarify concepts, and define terms using trusted Microsoft documentation.
Excerpt from a page describing this subject · 3,192 chars · not written by Vinony
~5 min read
DirectInput is a legacy application programming interface developed by American company Microsoft that collects user input via devices such as the mouse, keyboard, and gamepads. It also provides a system for action mapping, which allows the user to assign specific actions within a game to the buttons and axes of the input devices. Additionally it handles haptic feedback/force feedback (input/output) devices. Microsoft also introduced a input library called XInput specifically for the Xbox 360 controller.
DirectInput supports up to 128 buttons, 8 axes, and 4 point of view hats.
via Wikidata · CC0
Discovered by embedding cosine similarity (sentence-transformers MiniLM, 384-dim).