[win32] - how use joystick?

i understand how can i activate the joystick:

Code:

---

joySetCapture(inst->hWnd(),JOYSTICKID1,100,true);
                    joySetCapture(inst->hWnd(),JOYSTICKID2,100,true);

---

but i see 1 problem: i must activate for all connected joysticks, but how can i get the number of connected joysticks?
and then i must release the joystick(when i don't need it):

Code:

---

joyReleaseCapture(JOYSTICKID1);
                    joyReleaseCapture(JOYSTICKID2);

---

i activate the joystick, when the form is created, but i think that isn't the right way to do, because the user can connect the joystick when want's.
please anyone tell me something.

using a timer, i put the joystick more complete ;)

please see the image
Attachment 13629

now i need ask:
1 - how can i get the Z in circle way(for getting in degrees from 0 to 360)?
2 - if the Analog button is in red, how can i detect the Hat buttons?

the Hat is the POV. but heres another information:
1 - if the Analog button is red, the POV\Hat and X,Y Axis are diferent;
2 - if the Analog button is turn of, the POV\HAT and X,Y Axis are the same buttons... but the results are in X and Y Axis;
3 - if the X,Y,Z center is 32767, the POV is activated and the Analog is red. else the X,Y,Z center is 32511.

i continue with 1 question: how can i get the circle angle from Z and X,Y Axis?

Your post appears to be using a library of some sorts. For peripheral devices in Windows you can use raw input. Follow the link below to learn more.

Raw Input (Windows)

Once you get a grasp on the concepts then you can wrap it into your own library or at least understand more of what is going on with the API you are currently using.