How can I learn about the Win32 API?

Question

I want to learn how to be able to use the Win32 API, since recently I\'ve got a lot of tasks I need to do which requires functions from user32.dll, so I\'m trying t

Answer 1

Win32 API - help documents and samples should be in Windows SDK download. http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8279

Answer 2

Take a look at theForger's Win32 API Programming Tutorial as well, which:

attempts to get you started developing with the Win32 API as quickly and clearly as possible`.

Answer 3

From MSDN you can find the WinAPI list: The following is a list of the reference content for the Windows application programming interface (API). http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff818516(v=vs.85).aspx

You can learn some stuff via Visual Basic Win API functions. Examples are very easy to follow and understand. Then you can translate the code to C#.

There Are 598 Visual Basic Windows API Functions in 55 Category http://www.ex-designz.net/api.asp

Answer 4

First, Win32 is a set of subsystems. You possibly can't learn them all easily. You just have to prioritize.

But then, to be able to say what you'd like to learn, you probably need a big picture. I believe the best way to approach Win32 is through "Programming Windows" by Charles Petzold. It's very clear to read and easy to understand. There are a lot of examples you can pick up and experiment on your own.

After you learn the basic stuff, I recommend "Microsoft Windows Internals" by Mark Russinovich. It's rather advanced but lets you understand what's inside Windows core.

Answer 5

I personally feel you should start with Calling Win32 DLLs in C# with P/Invoke

This will provide you with most of the basic knowledge you need to know about the WINAPI using pinvoke in c#. I also had the offline version of the WINAPI functions provided by MSDN but I can't remember where I downloaded it from.

Lastly, get your hands on some basic easy to understand WINAPI code, there's http://mwinapi.sourceforge.net/ for this.

EDIT: You can download the offline version of the documentation from phatocde.