This manual gives the Windows-application developer general as well as detailed information about Windows functions, messages, data types, printer escapes, and virtual-key codes. It does not attempt to explain how to create a Windows application. Rather, this manual provides detailed descriptions of each component of the Windows API for readers who already have a basic understanding of Windows programming.
This book contains reference information describing the Windows functions and messages. It is made up of eight chapters and one appendix:
Chapter 1, “Window Manager Interface Functions,” categorizes window-manager functions into their related groups and briefly describes individual functions. This chapter also supplies additional information about particular function groups, including definitions of new terms and descriptions of models that are unique to Windows. This chapter is designed to assist the application developer who is new to Windows or who has questions about a particular group of Windows functions.
Chapter 2, “Graphics Device Interface Functions,” categorizes the functions that perform device-independent graphics operations in the Windows environment, provides brief descriptions of the functions, and explains the most important features of the Windows graphics interface.
Chapter 3, “System Services Interface Functions,” categorizes the various utility functions that perform services not directly related to managing a window or producing graphical output.
Chapter 4, “Functions Directory,” contains an alphabetical list of Windows functions. The documentation for each function gives the syntax, states the function's purpose, lists its input parameters, and describes its return value. For some functions, additional information the developer needs in order to use those functions is given.
Chapter 5, “Messages Overview,” categorizes messages into their related groups and briefly describes individual messages. This chapter also supplies additional information about particular message groups, including definitions of new terms and descriptions of models that are unique to Windows. This chapter is designed to assist the application developer who is new to Windows or who has questions about a particular group of Windows messages.
Chapter 6, “Messages Directory,” contains an alphabetical list of Windows messages. The documentation for each message states the message's purpose, lists its input parameters, and describes its return value (if one exists). For some messages, additional information the developer needs in order to use those messages is given.
Chapter 7, “Data Types and Structures,” contains a table of data types and an alphabetical list of structures found in Windows.
Chapter 8, “Printer Escapes,” lists the printer escapes that are available in Windows.
Appendix, “Virtual-Key Codes,” lists the symbolic names and hexadecimal values of Windows virtual-key codes and includes a brief description of each key.