Microsoft DirectX 1.0 Questions and Answers

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1. Q. What is Microsoft DirectX?
   
   A. Microsoft DirectX is a set of drivers that is available with the Microsoft Game Software Development Kit (SDK).
2. Q. What components make up Microsoft DirectX?
   
   A. DirectX components include DirectDraw, DirectInput, DirectPlay, and DirectSound. DirectDraw and DirectSound components replace current Windows 95 display and sound drivers with DirectX drivers.
3. Q. How do I obtain Microsoft DirectX?
   
   A. If you develop computer games and you want to provide DirectX functionality within your game, you need the Microsoft Game SDK. The Game SDK is available on the Microsoft Developer's Network (MSDN) Level 2 CD-ROM.
   
   Independent software vendors (ISVs) who use these components in their games can redistribute them.
4. Q. What is DirectDraw?
   
   A. DirectDraw allows direct access of video display memory, hardware blitters, hardware overlays, and page flipping. DirectDraw provides this functionality while maintaining compatibility with existing Windows 95-based programs and device drivers.
   
   Essentially, DirectDraw is a memory manager for video memory. Using DirectDraw, a program can manipulate video memory with ease, taking full advantage of the blitting and color decompression capabilities of different types of video hardware without becoming dependent on a particular piece of hardware.
5. Q. What is DirectInput?
   
   A. The Microsoft DirectInput application programming interface (API) provides fast and consistent access to analog and digital joysticks. The DirectInput API maintains consistency with the joystick APIs of the Microsoft Win32 Software Development Kit (SDK), but has improved responsiveness and reliability by changing the device driver model. DirectInput device drivers also use the registry to store settings for standard joysticks, calibration information for previously configured joysticks, and settings for OEM-supplied joysticks.
6. Q. What is DirectPlay?
   
   A. The Microsoft DirectPlay application programming interface (API) for Windows 95 is a software interface that simplifies game access to communication services. DirectPlay provides a way for games to communicate with each other that is independent of the underlying transport, protocol, or online service.
7. Q. What is DirectSound?
   
   A. The Microsoft DirectSound application programming interface (API) is the audio component of the Microsoft Windows 95 Game SDK that provides low-latency mixing, hardware acceleration, and direct access to the sound device. DirectSound provides this functionality while maintaining compatibility with existing Windows 95-based programs and device drivers.
8. Q. What do I do if I have problems with the DirectX drivers that replace my Windows 95 video and sound drivers?
   
   A. If you experience problems with the DirectX video or sound drivers, you can remove them by running Dxsetup.exe. Dxsetup.exe is supplied by the product that installed DirectX. For example, some games include DirectX support.
9. Q. Who supports Microsoft Game SDK and DirectX?
   
   A. Microsoft Game SDK is supported by Microsoft Developer Support. The DirectX drivers, such as video and sound drivers, are supported by the Desktop Systems group. If your DirectX drivers are provided by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the drivers are supported by that manufacturer.