Maybe you've heard the terms 'XInput' and 'DirectInput' here and there, almost always referencing controllers that you can use for Windows. But what do they actually mean? Does it matter which one you have, and, if so, how can you tell what you have?
Let's explore both terms and see what each one means for you.
XInput, DirectInput, and Input Libraries
All of these terms refer to an API that exists between the controller and your system. Essentially, how your controller talks to your computer and knows what buttons mean what.
All this is to say, you generally don't need to worry about which is which and what does what. Driver packages will install what you need and controllers are automatically assigned the one that they use.
Old APIs, New APIs, They'll All Work the Same
While there are a lot of technical differences between these two libraries, modern gamepads have mostly unified the experience, and truly made gaming on PC 'plug-and-play.'
Still, it's worth knowing the difference between these two terms, as it may come up when troubleshooting your own gamepad.