Specifying a Control Class

The control's window class, or “control class,” defines the control window function and the default attributes of the control. You specify a control class when you create the control. To do so, include the class name (for example, BUTTON) as the lpClassName parameter for the CreateWindow function.

Windows provides the following built-in control classes:

BUTTON

Produces small, labeled windows that the user can choose to generate yes/no, on/off type of input.

EDIT

Produces windows in which the user can enter and edit text.

LISTBOX

Produces windows that contain lists of names from which the user can select one or more names.

COMBOBOX

Produces combination controls consisting of an edit or static control linked with a list box. The user can select items from the list box and/or enter text in the edit box.

SCROLLBAR

Produces windows that look and function like scroll bars in a window.

STATIC

Produces small windows containing text or simple graphics. These are often used to label other controls or to separate a group of controls.