DirectX
     
         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 (http://www.microsoft.com/directx/).
     
        (2001-12-31)