<programming, hardware> A Microsoft programming interface
standard, first included with Windows 95. DirectX gives
(games) programmers a standard way to gain direct access to
enhanced hardware features under Windows 95 instead of going
via the Windows 95 GDI. Some DirectX code runs faster than
the equivalent under MS DOS.
DirectX promises performance improvements for graphics, sound,
video, 3D, and network capabilites of games, but only where
both hardware and software support DirectX.
DirectX 2 introduced the Direct3D interface. Version 5 was
current at 1998-02-01. Version 8.1 is included in Windows
XP.
Current version: 8.1 (as of 2001-12-31).
Home.
(2001-12-31)
Nearby terms:
directory service « Directory System Agent « Directory User Agent « DirectX » Dirt » dirtball » dirty power
