Unicode in the Win32 API

Win32 API elements that use characters are generally implemented in one of three formats:

• A generic version that can be compiled for either ANSI or Unicode
• An ANSI version
• A Unicode version

The following topics discuss Unicode data types and how they are used in functions and messages; the use of resources, file names, and command-line arguments; and methods of translating between different types of strings.

• Win32 Data Types
• Win32 Function Prototypes
• Automatic Message Translation
• String Function Differences
• Standard C Functions
• Character Sets Used in Filenames
• Translation Between String Types
• Command-line Arguments

For a list of functions that support Unicode under Windows 95/98, see Windows 95/98 General Limitations.