DirectX is a set of components in the Windows operating system that allows software, primarily computer games, to interact directly with video and audio equipment. DirectX games can better use the multimedia acceleration features built into your hardware, improving multimedia performance.
Required for all versions of Windows operating systems.
Key Features:
- Graphics Rendering: DirectX provides APIs for rendering high-performance 2D and 3D graphics.
- Input Handling: DirectX includes APIs for handling input from devices such as keyboards, mice, gamepads, and joysticks.
- Audio: DirectX includes APIs for audio processing and playback.
- DirectInput: This component of DirectX deals specifically with input from keyboards, mice, joysticks, and other gaming controllers.
- DirectPlay: DirectPlay was historically used for network communication in games, providing APIs for multiplayer gaming over LANs and the internet.
- DirectSound: This part of DirectX handles audio output and processing.