BOOL ShowWindow(hWnd,nCmdShow)
This function displays or removes the given window, as specified by the nCmdShow parameter.
| Parameter | Type/Description |
| hWnd | HWND Identifies the window. | |
| nCmdShow | int Specifies how the window is to be shown. It must be one of the values shown in Table 4.18, “Window States.” |
The return value specifies the previous state of the window. It is nonzero if the window was previously visible. It is zero if the window was previously hidden.
The ShowWindow function must be called only once per program with the nCmdShow parameter from the WinMain function. Subsequent calls to ShowWindow must use one of the values listed above, instead of one specified by the nCmdShow parameter from the WinMain function. Table R.18 lists the values for the nCmdShow parameter:
Table R.18 Window States
| Value | Meaning |
| SW_HIDE | Hides the window and passes activation to another window. |
| SW_MINIMIZE | Minimizes the specified window and activates the top-level window in the window-manager's list. |
| SW_RESTORE | Same as SW_SHOWNORMAL. |
| SW_SHOW | Activates a window and displays it in its current size and position. |
| SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED | Activates the window and displays it as a maximized window. |
| SW_SHOWMINIMIZED | Activates the window and displays it as iconic. |
| SW_SHOWMINNOACTIVE | Displays the window as iconic. The window that is currently active remains active. |
| SW_SHOWNA | Displays the window in its current state. The window that is currently active remains active. |
| SW_SHOWNOACTIVATE | Displays a window in its most recent size and position. The window that is currently active remains active. |
| SW_SHOWNORMAL | Activates and displays a window. If the window is minimized or maximized, Windows restores it to its original size and position. |