SDL 2 Cannot Open Controller but Joystick Recognized - c++

Question

I am writing a C++ program using SDL 2 for the platform layer and opengl for graphics and rendering. I have a full working prototype with keyboard and mouse input. Now I am now trying to use SDL's game controller API to connect a gamepad (to replace or supplement keyboard controls). Unfortunately the controller does not seem to be recognized despite the fact that it works perfectly with other software. It's a Sony Dualshock 4 (for the Playstation 4 system). My system is Mac OS 10.9.5, and I am using SDL 2.0.5 with the official community controller database for SDL 2.0.5, which contains ps4 controller mappings:
030000004c050000c405000000000000,PS4 Controller,a:b1,b:b2,back:b8,dpdown:h0.4,dpleft:h0.8,dpright:h0.2,dpup:h0.1,guide:b12,leftshoulder:b4,leftstick:b10,lefttrigger:a3,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,rightshoulder:b5,rightstick:b11,righttrigger:a4,rightx:a2,righty:a5,start:b9,x:b0,y:b3,platform:Mac OS X,
4c05000000000000c405000000000000,PS4 Controller,a:b1,b:b2,back:b8,dpdown:h0.4,dpleft:h0.8,dpright:h0.2,dpup:h0.1,guide:b12,leftshoulder:b4,leftstick:b10,lefttrigger:a3,leftx:a0,lefty:a1,rightshoulder:b5,rightstick:b11,righttrigger:a4,rightx:a2,righty:a5,start:b9,x:b0,y:b3,platform:Mac OS X
I also added a new mapping using one of the official tools. That also loads successfully according to the relevant function call.
The following is my code, and it's about as close to a minimal example as I can get:
// in main
// window and graphics context initialization here
// initialize SDL
if (SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_VIDEO | SDL_INIT_GAMECONTROLLER | SDL_INIT_HAPTIC) < 0) {
fprintf(stderr, "%s\n", "SDL could not initialize");
return EXIT_FAILURE;
}
// load controller mappings, I tested this and 35 mappings load successfully, which is expected
SDL_GameControllerAddMappingsFromFile("./mapping/gamecontrollerdb_205.txt");
// the controller handle
SDL_GameController* controller = nullptr;
// max_joysticks is 1, which means that the device connects at least
int max_joysticks = SDL_NumJoysticks();
if (max_joysticks < 1) {
return EXIT_FAILURE;
}
// this returns, which means that the joystick exists, but it isn't recognized as a game controller.
if (!SDL_IsGameController(0)) {
return EXIT_FAILURE;
}
// I never get passed this.
controller = SDL_GameControllerOpen(0);
fprintf(stdout, "CONTROLLER: %s\n", SDL_GameControllerName(controller));
Has anyone encountered this problem? I've done some preliminary searching as I mentioned, but it seems that usually either the number of joysticks is 0, or everything is recognized.
Also, SDL_CONTROLLERDEVICEADDED isn't firing when I connect the controller.
The controller is connected via USB before I start the program. Also, this is one of the new controllers, and I'm not sure whether the mappings work with that new one. I assume so considering that there are two distinct entries.
Thank you.
EDIT:
I double checked and the PS4 controller works fine as a joystick, but it isn't recognized as a controller, which means that the mapping is incorrect or non-existent. This may be because my controller is "version 2" of the dualshock 4, and I'm not sure whether a 2.0.5-compatible mapping was added. hmmm

Answer 1

The controller was recognized as a joystick but not as a controller, meaning that none of the available mappings I could find (in 2.0.5 controller mapping format) corresponded with the controller. Updating from SDL 2.0.5 to 2.0.8 also updated available mappings it seems, and now the controller is recognized as a game controller.
Note: normally it is a terrible idea to upgrade tools mid-project, but in this case it was safe to do.