inputready

Inputready is an open-source library and set of conventions designed to standardize the handling of user input across platforms for interactive applications. It provides a lightweight abstraction layer that coordinates input from keyboards, pointing devices, touch devices, and game controllers, aiming to deliver a consistent programming model regardless of the underlying system. The project emphasizes non-blocking operation, input buffering, and normalization of events so applications can respond to input promptly and predictably.

The core API exposes a small surface for checking input readiness, reading input events, and subscribing to input streams. Backends can be implemented for different environments, such as desktop operating systems, web browsers, and mobile platforms, with the library choosing an appropriate input source at runtime. Typical usage patterns include polling or event-driven callbacks, depending on the host framework, with input events delivered in a uniform event format.

History and development: Inputready originated as an experimental approach in the late 2010s to unify cross-platform input handling. It evolved through community contributions and is hosted on public code repositories with permissive licensing. The project is maintained by volunteers and has drawn interest from developers building lightweight games, utilities, and educational software.

Impact and scope: The library has seen adoption in several open-source projects that require responsive user input and cross-platform portability. Its design favors simplicity and interoperability but may not cover every niche input device or accessibility requirement, prompting ongoing collaboration and extension.

See also: non-blocking I/O, event-driven programming, input buffering.