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Hello everyone,
For the past two weeks, I've been learning to use the Windows API, whilst learning C++ language at the same time. I have to say though that it doesn't seem as if you really need to know C++ to write windows applications - just the Windows API. If this is the case, I might just as well get Borlands C++ Builder and learn to use that. is this true.
All replies are welcome.
The Windows API is a C++ library. If you dont know C++, youre screwed.
You need the api to setup your windows controls, get and display data. You need C/C++ to do everything else. You need it to manipulate the data that you have recived with a SendMessage() call. You need it to append strings, setup classes / structs. you need it for everything! Without c/c++ you will have a window with a few controls on it, that does nothing! It is probably better not to learn the API for now. Learn C then C++ or both together, whatever floats your boat, then when you have a sound understanding of the langauge lern the API.
>>The Windows API is a C++ library. If you dont know C++, youre screwed.
Not true. Must know C but the ++ (classes ect) not needed.
I code many large apps without any ++.
>>> I might just as well get Borlands C++ Builder
Builder is based around a class library, (VCL). This is similar in many ways to MicroSoft MFC. These are "++" environments, and both "hide" the API from the coder by putting wrappers around it. I would advocate learning the API before learning a class library.
>>> Not true. Must know C but the ++ (classes ect) not needed.
Not totally true. You must know a language which is capable of calling the API functions. C is the native language of Windows, but you can, and indeed I do sometimes, use others. Pascal and Basic for example.
Pascal / basic with the WIN32 API.
Your a braver man than me!!
Hello Dear
Let me tell you initially that C, C++ forms the base for any programming field i.e. knowledge of it gets you enhanced logic and Analysis Designing Technique via which u could get thru any platform and any prog lang without any much difficulty.
As far as Win32 API programming is concerned u need to have knowledge for API-> "NamedPipes" which is thru Windows been designed and for adding fuctionality u may need c++.
I hope I had answered ur question . Even then u feel a need to have further queries u may contact me at my Email Address.
Regards
Prashant
Email :: [email protected]
prashantkumar:
Well I'm glad you cleared that one up for us!
novacain:
Accessing the API from other languages is not really difficult. The difference is the way parameters are passed, but once you understand the differences, you can call whatever you like from whatever you like, (there are also some differences in the calling conventions but that again is manageable). I have written a complicated frame grabber/manipulator for a digital video camera in Visual Basic, (not through choice but because my customer wanted it so), and I do a lot of my database work with Delphi, (Pascal), because it is so much easier than the same thing in VC.
How about COBOL and WIN32 API?
(Gives me the creeps just thinking about the combination, getting everything in the right areas, noooooooo..)
I have recently seen references to both Visual COBOL and Object COBOL...
PIC[?]
!
hm... somewhat unrelated, but... I saw Visual J# .NET... how creepy is that ?