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    [SOLVED] how can I get the connected joypad names?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Ideas and Development
    retroarchcontrollerinput
    26 Posts 5 Posters 13.1k Views
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    • BuZzB
      BuZz administrators
      last edited by BuZz

      i=0; for dev in $(find /dev/input -name "js*" | sort); do path=$(udevadm info --name=$dev | grep DEVPATH | cut -d= -f2); name=$(</$(dirname sys$path)/name); echo $dev $i $name; ((i++)); done

      /dev/input/js0 0 USB,2-axis 8-button gamepad
      /dev/input/js1 1 8Bitdo SFC30 GamePad Joystick
      

      then unplugging the USB

      /dev/input/js1 0 8Bitdo SFC30 GamePad Joystick
      

      (switched to find to avoid an error if no joysticks connected, but just for this quick one line example)

      To help us help you - please make sure you read the sticky topics before posting - https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

      meleuM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • meleuM
        meleu @BuZz
        last edited by meleu

        @BuZz
        Initially I was excited with this solution and went for the tests...

        Then I realized that the SDL algorithm index assignment isn't that simple...

        The scenario: 4 usb joysticks (js0, js1, js2 and js3) and one bluetooth controller (js4). And then I disconnected the 1st and 2nd usb joysticks (js0 and js1), and the bluetooth controller also. Several minutes later I reconnected the bluetooth controller and it took the js0 "slot". Look at the output differences:

        [prompt]$ jslist 
        0:Twin USB Joystick
        1:Twin USB Joystick
        2:8Bitdo Zero GamePad
        [prompt]$ bash buzz-jslist.sh
        /dev/input/js0 0 8Bitdo Zero GamePad
        /dev/input/js2 1 Twin USB Joystick
        /dev/input/js3 2 Twin USB Joystick
        
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        • meleuM
          meleu
          last edited by

          I think my current dilema is: C or Python?

          The C solution is great because the SDL2 is installed by default in RetroPie. The only doubt I have is "where to put the binary?". Maybe /opt/retropie/supplementary?

          The Python solution requires the installation of python-pygame. It means 15.2 MB of additional disk space just to list the available joysticks.

          For the moment I think the C approach is the winner.

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          • meleuM
            meleu
            last edited by meleu

            Hey @BuZz , I've just realized that your method can be used to let the user choose which controller to use in runcommand.
            I saw this line in runcommand.sh and it seems to always get the first /dev/input/js*.
            (no need for that sermon about your priorities. :-) It's just an enhancement idea, ok...)

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            • BuZzB
              BuZz administrators
              last edited by

              The smiley doesn't make that line funny.

              To help us help you - please make sure you read the sticky topics before posting - https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

              meleuM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • meleuM
                meleu @BuZz
                last edited by

                @BuZz it represents the effect, not the cause

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