Windows Programming Documentation

Windows Programming

Welcome to the comprehensive documentation for Windows programming. This section provides the resources you need to build powerful, native applications for the Windows platform.

Introduction to Windows Development

Discover the foundational elements of Windows programming, including the Win32 API, COM, and the evolution of Windows application frameworks. Understand the different types of applications you can build, from desktop applications to UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps.

Key Technologies and Frameworks

Win32 API: The foundational C-based API for developing Windows applications.
COM (Component Object Model): A binary standard for creating software components.
Windows Runtime (WinRT): The modern API for building UWP and Windows Store applications.
DirectX: For high-performance graphics and multimedia.
.NET Framework & .NET Core: For managed code development on Windows.

Getting Started with Your First App

Follow our step-by-step guides to set up your development environment using Visual Studio, create your first "Hello, World!" application, and understand the basic structure of a Windows project.

Learn more about setting up your environment.

Exploring the API Reference

Dive deep into the vast Windows API. Our searchable reference covers functions, structures, interfaces, and constants. Whether you're working with user interface elements, system services, or networking, you'll find the details you need here.

Browse the complete API Reference.

Code Examples and Best Practices

Learn from practical code samples that demonstrate common Windows programming tasks. Adhere to best practices for performance, security, and usability to create high-quality applications.

Example: Basic window creation using Win32 API:


#include <windows.h>

int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance, HINSTANCE hPrevInstance, LPSTR lpCmdLine, int nCmdShow) {
    WNDCLASS wc = {0};
    wc.lpfnWndProc = DefWindowProc;
    wc.hInstance = hInstance;
    wc.lpszClassName = "MyWindowClass";

    RegisterClass(&wc);

    HWND hwnd = CreateWindowEx(0, "MyWindowClass", "My First Window", WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW,
                               CW_USEDEFAULT, CW_USEDEFAULT, CW_USEDEFAULT, CW_USEDEFAULT,
                               NULL, NULL, hInstance, NULL);

    ShowWindow(hwnd, nCmdShow);
    UpdateWindow(hwnd);

    MSG msg;
    while (GetMessage(&msg, NULL, 0, 0)) {
        TranslateMessage(&msg);
        DispatchMessage(&msg);
    }

    return 0;
}

Stay Up-to-Date

The Windows platform is constantly evolving. Keep informed about the latest updates, new features, and recommended development approaches to ensure your applications remain modern and competitive.