DirectX

DirectX is a collection of APIs developed by Microsoft for use in multimedia applications.

The APIs are:

• DirectDraw? -- an API for drawing raster graphics to the screen's frame-buffer
• Direct3D? -- an API for drawing 3D graphics primitives to the screen
• DirectSound? -- an API for low-level input and output of sound
• DirectPlay? -- an API for networked communication of games
• DirectMedia? -- an API for streaming audio and video

It is often thought that DirectX is a competitor to OpenGL, but it would be more accurate to say that Direct3D? is the OpenGL competitor, and the other APIs of DirectX perform other tasks.

For more information about DirectX visit http://www.microsoft.com/directx