Create a Program with no window

Hi,
I'm trying to make a program that when it runs opens a file on an odd second and then writes to it, but I don't want the DOS like window to pop up when it starts. I figured out one way to prevent this from happening, but I think that it's probably slowing my program down a little. Right now I have it set up like a radc++ program but don't set up any forms. Is there a better way to prevent the window from opening? I'm using Dev C++ 5 and creating this program for a windows machine.
Thanks,
Blair

There are two ways of doing this off the top of my head.

One is to create it as a "real" Windows application. You might be able to write it as a console application but just instruct your compiler to treat is as a Windows app, but that approach is not necessarily guarenteed to work AFAIK.

Another option is to compile it as a console program and call FreeConsole() almost right away. This will throw away your console, but it will appear and be noticable, so it may not be what you want.

With that "real" Windows applications you have 2 options:
1. Don't create a window.
2. Create a window but don't show it. (So your program still receives instructions from Windows like WM_CLOSE)

Thats basically what I'm doing already with the rad c++ thing. But I'm thinking that by using the rad c++ it's slowing it down, so how would I create the window app without the window then? Code would be helpful as well.
Thanks,
Blair

Making a windows app without window. Hint:

Code:

---

#include <windows.h>
int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInstance,HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,LPSTR lpCmdLine,int nCmdShow){
    MessageBox(NULL, "No window. See?", "Blah", MB_OK);
    return 0;
}

---

Hey,
That worked great! Made the file much smaller I think it's operating faster as well. Is there a way to make it so that this program will not change the cursor in any way? Since I want this program to start and end in the background of another program, it would be nice if this program does not change the cursor in any way. Like change it to the loading cursor. Is ther any way I can aviod that?
Thanks,
Blair

I don't believe it's your program that is changing the cursor. That is probably Windows showing that you're starting a process if you're simply doubleclicking the .exe.

How are you planning on starting this program in your live environment anyway?

Another program will start it. But windows change the cursor is what I'd like to avoid. It's not a huge deal, but it would be nice if i could avoid that.

I think you'll have to look into the first program that starts it. There is probably an option in CreateProcess() (or w/e API function used) to create it silently.