The JoysImm program obtains and displays joystick data.
Source: (SDK root)\Samples\Multimedia\DInput\Src\JoystImm
Executable: (SDK root)\Samples\Multimedia\DInput\Bin
Observe how the displayed data changes when you move and twist the stick, rotate the throttle wheel, and press buttons in various combinations.
The application polls the joystick for immediate data in response to a timer set inside the dialog procedure.