Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

XInput VS JOGL

Compare XInput VS JOGL and see what are their differences

XInput logo XInput

XInput is an API that allows applications to receive input from the Xbox Controller for Windows.

JOGL logo JOGL

Game Development
  • XInput Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-27
  • JOGL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-29

XInput features and specs

  • Standardization
    XInput provides a standardized API for accessing game controller features, ensuring consistent behavior across different Windows platforms and Xbox controllers.
  • Ease of Use
    XInput is designed to be straightforward and easy to use, reducing the complexity developers face when implementing controller support.
  • Full Compatibility with Xbox Controllers
    It offers full compatibility with Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers, which are widely used by gamers, ensuring a seamless experience.
  • Vibration Support
    XInput includes built-in support for controller vibration feedback, enhancing the gaming experience without additional setup.
  • Dead Zone Handling
    The API provides automatic handling of dead zones for thumbsticks, improving input accuracy and performance with minimal developer effort.

Possible disadvantages of XInput

  • Limited to Xbox Controllers
    XInput is primarily designed for Xbox controllers, which limits its use with other types of gamepads and input devices.
  • No Support for Older Devices
    It does not support devices that were designed for DirectInput, potentially alienating users with older hardware.
  • Restricted to Windows
    XInput is a Windows-specific API, which can be a limitation for developers aiming for cross-platform compatibility.
  • Limited Number of Controllers
    XInput natively supports up to four controllers, which might be insufficient for certain multiplayer scenarios.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    It does not provide access to advanced features such as controller LED customization or low-level input data, which can be a constraint for developers needing these capabilities.

JOGL features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Capability
    JOGL provides a way to use OpenGL across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which enhances the portability of graphics applications.
  • Performance
    JOGL leverages the native capabilities of OpenGL, leading to high-performance rendering which is suitable for graphics-intensive applications and games.
  • Open Source
    Being open source allows developers to access the source code, contribute to its development, and utilize it without licensing fees, fostering a collaborative environment.
  • Integration with Java
    Since JOGL is a Java library, it seamlessly integrates with Java applications, enabling developers to utilize OpenGL in a language they may already be familiar with.
  • Community and Support
    A community of developers supports JOGL, providing forums, documentation, and examples to aid in development and troubleshooting.

Possible disadvantages of JOGL

  • Complexity
    Working with JOGL can be complex due to the need to understand both OpenGL concepts and Java programming, which increases the learning curve for new developers.
  • Limited Abstractions
    JOGL provides low-level access to OpenGL which means developers must manage many details themselves, potentially leading to longer development times compared to higher-level graphics libraries.
  • Updates and Maintenance
    Being an open-source project, updates and maintenance depend on community involvement, which can lead to irregular updates and a slower response to emerging issues or features.
  • Resource Management
    Developers must manually handle resource management, such as memory and CPU resources, which can be error-prone and requires a good understanding of system resources.

XInput videos

Redgear Pro Wireless Gamepad | Review after 1 yr | Best Controller | Xinput vs Direct Input

More videos:

  • Review - Razer Raiju Review - Best PS4 and PC Xinput Controller?
  • Review - Steelseries Stratus XL for Windows and Android Bluetooth Game Controller Review - Supports Xinput

JOGL videos

Introduction to JOGL

More videos:

  • Review - JOGL Interview Questions and Answers
  • Review - JOGL Africa: Introduction Event

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to XInput and JOGL)
Game Development
64 64%
36% 36
Game Engine
64 64%
36% 36
3D Game Engine
62 62%
38% 38
Photos & Graphics
69 69%
31% 31

User comments

Share your experience with using XInput and JOGL. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, XInput should be more popular than JOGL. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

XInput mentions (3)

  • what is your unpopular opinion regarding simracing?
    DirectInput dates back to the Win9x days, and the current implementation dates back to the WinXP days. It's officially deprecated by Microsoft, which basically means "stop using it for new development." Its replacements are XInput (the Xbox controller API) and a similar API called Windows.Gaming.Input, intended for UWP applications. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Looking for steering wheels that uses XInput on PC?
    For those unfamiliar with the XInput standard https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/xinput/xinput-and-directinput. Source: over 2 years ago
  • odd wheel base hardware
    I have experience making Teensy joysticks, so the hardware/firmware side is covered. I'm happy to hear DirectInput is still being used contrary to MS advice https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/xinput/xinput-and-directinput Https://github.com/redragonx/can2rNET provides the interface to wheelchair control system. Source: over 3 years ago

JOGL mentions (2)

  • Is it possible to use the GPU to accelerate my my matrixMultiply method, and if so how would you best recommend I do it? I'm still relatively new to Java, and this is my first real swing at some more heavy duty data manipulation
    Many years ago in grad school, I did matrix multiplication for a physics simulation, directly on the GPU, using JOGL. There may be more modern ways to do it, though. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Shaders in Processing
    I tried learning the classic Java version and had modest success. But as soon as I needed to pass large arrays to the shader I got lost in the complexity. I know it requires some kind of interaction with PGL on a PGraphicsOpenGL which "includes a full GLES 2.0 interface" and is documented elsewhere... But you practically need a teacher just to navigate your way through it all. Source: over 3 years ago

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