I am very confused about DirectX. I have NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. I am just starting to program in C++ and would like to know what DirectX is. Thanx.

directx is, basically, a library for accessing your computers hardware directly (hence DIRECTx)
it is used for high speed graphics,inputing to the computer, networking, sound and similar tasks useful for game development

C++ is a programming language that most programmers use to build and design software.
Direct X, is somewhat like a programming language, but it is not. It''s based on C/C++ and is a Graphics API (Application Programming Interface). That API is basically a whol library of good stuff that allows you to program, in your C/C++ code, graphics and animation.
If you want to learn Direct X so it can be used in your game, you must learn either C or C++ first, THEN Direct X. Direct X is harder (in my opinion), so i stick with OpenGL which is also, a(n) (easier) Graphics API.

Programming::~Fredric(const Annoy_Ance)

"If you want to learn Direct X so it can be used in your game, you must learn either C or C++"

- Nope, VB works fine with DirectX too. In fact, I think that if a person wants to use DirectX but don''t know C++, it''s easier to learn Visual Basic and DirectX and then go on to C++. Please don''t start the "C++ is waay better than VB" discussion, it''s just a fact.

If you want to know more about DirectX, I suggest you download the SDK helpfiles or just read the same online on:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/isapi/msdnlib.idc?
theURL=/library/psdk/directx/dxstart_1x2d.htm

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Daniel Netz, Sentinel Design
"I'm not stupid, I'm from Sweden" - Unknown

quote:
by Fredric

It''s based on C/C++ and is a Graphics API (Application Programming Interface).

Actually it''s not just a graphics API... Read PoesRaven comments. If your going to give advice to newbies please know what your talking about.

C/C++ is a programming language like VB, COBOL, JAVA, etc.

DirectX is an API, which is used in conjunction with a programming language like C/C++, VB, etc, which is split up into a number of different sections, each deals with a specific section of hardware interaction. These are;

DirectDraw, this focuses on setting screen resoulutions, i.e 640x480, 800x600, etc. and 2D graphics.

Direct Sound, this focuses on, sound in games like music and effects.

Direct 3D, this deals with 3D graphics.

Direct Input, Deals with inputs for the keyboard, mouse, joystic, etc.

Direct Play, deals with networking, be it via a lan or via the internet.

This just basicly expands on PoesRaven''s post. But that in a nutshell is what DirectX is.

quote: - Nope, VB works fine with DirectX too.

Yeah, only as of version 7.0

If you want to use DirectX with Visual Basic, make sure that you use a version that support pointers (i.e.: VB 5 and up) and, as it was mentionned, only DirectX 7 currently support VB.

The full DirectX 7 SDK (docs, samples, etc.) is about 125 MB. You might want to download things separatly...