Arch Linux

Portal

Member

Registered: 2019-03-11

Posts: 48

Xinput questions

I am trying to learn xinput from the man page but I think I am missing some basic knowledge...
Ex: man says that query-state "query the device state", but what is a device state?
Ex: set-pointer "switch device in core pointer", but what is a core pointer?
All I know is that xinput manages X input devices like mouses and keyboards...
Can someone explain to me the basics so I can understand the man page of xinput better?

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 78,520

Re: Xinput questions

https://www.merriam-webster.com/

The device state is the state of the device. The device is the device and its state is its state. Maybe just try the command…
"switch device in core pointer" is something that the manpage actually tells you "does nothing on X servers 1.5 and later" - the core in this case is the X11 core protocol which supports exactly on keyboard and one pointer.

You cannot "learn a program" by reading its manual (please say that you're not trying to memorize it…)
The manual is there to be used w/ the program - you look up things while using the program.

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc

bugsmanagement

Member

Registered: 2017-04-21

Posts: 201

Re: Xinput questions

Hey Portal,

Can someone explain to me the basics so I can understand the man page of xinput better?

I think the better question, what part of the manual you don't understand?

Cheers

Portal

Member

Registered: 2019-03-11

Posts: 48

Re: Xinput questions

I did try to run query-state, it returns button or key array values...not sure what keys or buttons it is referring to.
Ex query-state on a power button returned 247 key array values, but it is just a power-button

Last edited by Portal (2019-04-04 01:44:50)

seth

Member

From: Won't reply 2 private help req

Registered: 2012-09-03

Posts: 78,520

Re: Xinput questions

not sure what keys or buttons it is referring to.

The keys on your keyboard and the buttons on your mouse??

The ACPI typically registers some case "buttons" as keyboard - it doesn't matter that there's only one HW "key" on that keyboard.

---

How to upload text · How to boot w/o GUI · Disable Windows Fast-Start! · Fix your xinitrc