What is the best USB library to communicate with USB HID devices on Windows?

Question

The library should;

• Be easy to use and few lines of client code should accomplish much
• Be as platform independent as possible. (In case of future ports to other platforms)
• Have C++ bindings.
• Be mature and stable

I would also like to be notified of most HID events through callbacks.

I have considered the following alternatives:

• libhid - (Unfortunately?) this is GPL and cannot be used in my application.
• WDK - Seems to be a bit low-level for my use. I don’t need that kind of control.
• atusbhid - This has an appropriate level of abstraction, but it is firmly tied to the Windows messaging loop

Are there other alternatives to offer?

Answer 1

Take a look at hidapi: it is C, which answers the C++ bindings question (effectively :)), is cross platform and has a very permissive license.

It doesn't appear to have the callbacks, but...