Components

DirectX functionality is provided in the form of COM-style objects and interfaces, as well as a set of managed objects.

The components comprising DirectX are

• DirectX Graphics, comprising two APIs:
• DirectDraw: for drawing 2D Graphics (raster graphics). Now deprecated, though still in use by a number of games.
• Direct3D (D3D): for drawing 3D graphics.
• DirectInput: for interfacing with input devices including keyboards, mice, joysticks, or other game controllers. Deprecated after version 8 in favor of XInput for Xbox360 controllers or standard WM INPUT window message processing for keyboard and mouse input.
• DirectPlay: for communication over a local-area or wide-area network. Deprecated after version 8.
• DirectSound: for the playback and recording of waveform sounds.
• DirectSound3D (DS3D): for the playback of 3D sounds.
• DirectMusic: for playback of soundtracks authored in DirectMusic Producer.
• DirectX Media: comprising DirectAnimation for 2D web animation, DirectShow for multimedia playback and streaming media, DirectX Transform for web interactivity, and Direct3D Retained Mode for higher level 3D graphics. DirectShow contains DirectX plugins for audio signal processing and DirectX Video Acceleration for accelerated video playback.
• DirectX Media Objects: support for streaming objects such as encoders, decoders, and effects.
• DirectSetup: for the installation of DirectX components. Not a game API per se.