Microsoft DirectX

This topic contains information about Microsoft® DirectX® and includes the following sections:

What is DirectX?
DirectX APIs Supported by Java Classes
DirectX Runtime Installation
Redistribution Components
DirectX Support

What is DirectX?

Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed by Microsoft to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3-D animation, and surround sound. Built directly into the Microsoft® Windows® family of operating systems, DirectX is an integral part of Windows 98 and Windows 2000, as well as Microsoft® Internet Explorer. DirectX components may also be automatically installed on your system by advanced multimedia games and applications written for Microsoft® Windows® 95.

DirectX provides software developers with quick access to a broad range of peripherals, for example graphics cards, audio adapters and input devices. With DirectX, developers can get access to specialized hardware and multimedia functionality, allowing them to concentrate on building creative multimedia applications without worrying about writing hardware-specific code.

DirectX APIs Supported by Java Classes

DirectX contains Java classes for the following DirectX multimedia APIs:

• Microsoft® DirectDraw® provides 2-D graphics services and bitmap composition.
  
  
• Microsoft® Direct3D® Retained Mode and Immediate Mode have high and low-level 3D graphics APIs that provide comprehensive 3-D graphics services.
  
  
• Microsoft® DirectSound® provides sound-mixing and playback services.
  
  
• Microsoft® DirectPlay® provides multiplayer game connectivity over the Internet.
  
  
• Microsoft® DirectInput® provides services for joysticks and other input devices.

For more information about the DirectX multimedia APIs, see http://www.microsoft.com/directx .

DirectX Runtime Installation

A DirectX class library containing the classes referenced in the previous section ships with the Microsoft® virtual machine. Additionally, the Microsoft® SDK for Java includes DirectX samples. You must install the DirectX runtime to use the class library and samples.

The latest version of the DirectX runtime is available for download from the DirectX Home page at http://www.microsoft.com/directx .

Redistribution Components

For information about redistribution of the DirectX runtime, see the release notes for Redistributable Files and the section on Redistribution Requirements in the End-User License Agreement. Read the End User License Agreement before using the SDK. The DirectX class library ships with the Microsoft VM.

DirectX Support

You can submit comments using the public forum news:msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.java.sdk or news:msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.java.directxj. Send bug reports and the steps to reproduce the bug to the Java Feedback Page .

A variety of additional support options are available from the DirectX Home page , including FAQs, news groups, troubleshooting wizards, and so on.