XInput

XInput is a Windows API designed by Microsoft to handle input from Xbox 360 controllers and later Xbox devices. It is part of the DirectX family but is accessed as a separate API. XInput provides a simple interface for reading the state of up to four controllers and for controlling their vibration motors.

The core API functions include XInputGetState, which returns the current state of a controller, and XInputSetState, which sets the vibration for the left and right motors. A typical state structure, XINPUT_STATE, contains a XINPUT_GAMEPAD with digital button flags, as well as the thumbstick axes and trigger values. Developers commonly poll this state each frame and apply their own dead zones and normalization. XInputGetCapabilities can be used to query a controller’s features, such as rumble support and typical device type.

XInput is Windows-only and targets Xbox-compatible devices. It does not provide direct access to non-Xbox DirectInput devices, although some third-party controllers may implement an Xbox-compatible profile. Up to four controllers can be read simultaneously, but devices must present themselves as XInput-compatible controllers.

Implementation details and distribution: developers include XInput.h and link against XInput.lib. On modern Windows versions, the library is provided as XInput1_4.dll; older systems may rely on XInput1_3.dll, XInput1_2.dll, or XInput9_1_0.dll for compatibility. To maximize compatibility, applications often attempt dynamic loading of the appropriate XInput library and fall back if unavailable.

XInput is commonly used for game development on Windows where Xbox-style input is prioritized, offering a stable and straightforward alternative to DirectInput for supported devices.