[Plib-devel] 32 bit integer button limit

[Jim C. <j.c...@zy...>]

Hi,
The problem with only 32 bits in an integer so allowing only 32 buttons 
can be handled in a similiar fashion to the method used in standard 
unix libraries for handling file descriptors. This uses an "fd_set" 
data type which is a "descriptor set" (read button set!!) which can be 
reset,written to, read from and checked using the 
FD_ZERO,FD_SET,FD_ISSET,FD_CLR macros. File descriptors can be up to 
1024 for example so this technique can handle many buttons.(see p396 
etc of Stevens - Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment).
Also one way to build a cockpit may be to cannibalise a standard 
joystick and use the buttons and rotaries accordingly.(This allows 
re-use of existing sware without having to write new "plib" bits to 
handle for example a USB interface such as a Velleman module with 
digital/analogue input and outputs).
cheers
Jim