Windows API Reference

Windows Programming APIs

This section provides in-depth documentation for various Windows programming interfaces, covering a wide range of functionalities from fundamental system operations to advanced graphical and network capabilities.

Core APIs

Explore the foundational APIs that power Windows applications, including:

• Process and Thread Management
• Memory Management
• Inter-Process Communication (IPC)
• System Information Retrieval

User Interface (UI) Elements

Learn how to create rich and interactive user interfaces:

• Window Management
• Controls and Dialogs
• GDI and GDI+
• DirectX Graphics

Files and Input/Output (I/O)

Master file operations and data streams:

• File System APIs
• Registry Access
• Stream I/O

Networking and Communications

Build connected applications with Windows networking capabilities:

• Winsock (Windows Sockets)
• HTTP Services
• RPC (Remote Procedure Call)

Security and Access Control

Implement robust security features in your applications:

• Access Control Lists (ACLs)
• Authentication and Authorization
• Cryptography APIs

System Services and Management

Interact with and manage Windows services:

• Service Control Manager
• Event Logging
• WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation)

Graphics and Multimedia

Develop visually stunning and media-rich experiences:

• Direct2D and DirectWrite
• Media Foundation
• DirectSound

Advanced Topics

Delve into specialized areas of Windows programming:

• COM (Component Object Model)
• Windows Hooks
• Driver Development (WDK)
• Low-Level System Functions

Example: Getting System Information

Here's a simple C++ example using the Windows API to get the current process ID:

#include <windows.h>
#include <iostream>

int main() {
    DWORD processId = GetCurrentProcessId();
    std::wcout << L"Current Process ID: " << processId << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

Key Concepts

Understanding the following concepts is crucial for effective Windows programming:

• Handles: Opaque objects that represent system resources.
• Windows Messages: The primary mechanism for inter-process and inter-thread communication.
• Structs and Data Types: Standardized structures for passing information between API calls.
• Error Handling: Using GetLastError() to diagnose API function failures.

Commonly Used Functions