Windows API documentation

[Wayne Graham]

I have been looking for more details on various Windows API
functions and constants, and ran across something useful. The
free compiler LCC has a web site at a Virginia college that
includes 2 links to Windows documentation: a Win32hlp.hlp that
is 'only' a year old, and an "Additional Windows documentation"
link that has stuff on Common Controls, Internet functions,
and Shell functions. About 15MB of download. The URL pops up
when you search the Web on 'lccwin' - there are also references
to the compiler in these forums. Latest compiler is Nov, 2000,
and the resource editor creates RC files you can use in PB.

Tech Support, can you copy these Windows files to the Files
section so it's easier to grab them?

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Wayne Graham
Atlanta, GA

[Lance Edmonds]

The WIN32.HLP file that PowerBASIC, Inc. has licenced (for registered PB/CC and PB/DLL customers) can be downloaded from the FILES section of this web site, in the MSTOOLS folder. This is an 8Mb ZIP file that expands to about 25Mb when installed. This file describes thousands of API functions, common controls, etc.

Unfortunately, MS ceased distributing API help in this file format, however, the very latest API & related information can be obtained by doiwnloading the Platform SDK directly from MS (warning: this is a _MASSIVE_ download for the entire SDK - well over 100 Mb!), the MSDN website itself www.msdn.microsoft.com or through a subscription to MSDN ($$$).

Regarding LCC... I personally do not believe that PowerBASIC management will permit documentation directly from another brand of compiler to be offered on the PowerBASIC website, and there could be licencing issues, but I'll ask anyway...


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Lance
PowerBASIC Support
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

[Chris Boss]

When it comes to API docs, I find the win32api.hlp file from
PB to be sufficiant for "common" coding.

Now when it comes to "researching" the API for unique functions,
I strongly recommend using Microsofts Online SDK docs !

The reason is that it contains the latest up to date info on
all the functions and most important, it will tell you whether
a function has become obsolete. Some functions have changed
or been eliminated (or will be in the next OS) in Win2000, so
for compatibility issues, it is important to know what platforms
the functions will work on. If you are targeting all win32 platforms
then this is critical.

IF has an older MSDN CD (came with VB 5) which I use and it is confusing
sometimes in knowing what platforms the functions work on. Being
older it predates NT 4, so sometimes it says NOT on NT, when today
NT supports those functions. Being up to date is very important.

I don't want to spend the money on the MSDN CD subscription
(a bit pricy), so the online docs are the best and cheapest
way to go.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...s/mainport.htm

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[This message has been edited by Chris Boss (edited December 07, 2000).]

[Tom Hanlin]

To the best of my knowledge, we have the most recent version of Win32.hlp that was licensed for general distribution. Perhaps this Win32hlp.hlp is not a Microsoft product? If you would like to provide us with the links you mention, we will investigate further. A quick check of AltaVista does not turn up any links that appear relevant.


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Tom Hanlin
PowerBASIC Staff

[Tom Hanlin]

Ok, found it. Wayne, if you'll check the date on the actual .HLP files instead of the date on the setup programs, you'll find that the PowerBASIC version of the help file is more recent. The one at the LCC site also lacks a table of contents and may not be a legitimate distribution.

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Tom Hanlin
PowerBASIC Staff

[K Peel]

For up to the minute documentation for ALL aspects of Windows programming, go to http://www.msdn.microsoft.com and download the SDK setup program (this may take some time but it's worth it), then run the setup program, selecting only the header files and SDK help files.

The download is quite small and you get the very very latest information.

I also have the MSDN cd's but as they are from Dec 1998, they are somewhat 'past it'!

Regards,

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Kev G Peel
KGP Software
Bridgwater, United Kingdom.
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>
http://www.kgpsoftware.com

[Peter P Stephensen]

Wayne,

If you can get your hands on Visual Studio 6.0 (C/C++) then that's a good solution.
That gives you all the documentation you need + more (a nice resource editor and
all the C-header files that win32api.inc i made from. If there is something
you can't find in win32api.inc you can find it there...)

Regards
Peter

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