===== Microsoft: Windows API =====
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.b_stds:defact:microsoft:start| return to Microsoft]]

Source: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_API#cite_note-msdn-gdi-4 |Windows API]]

  : //The Windows [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:a:api|API]], informally WinAPI, is Microsoft's core set of application programming [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:i:interface|interfaces]] (APIs) available in the Microsoft Windows [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:o:os|operating systems]]. The name Windows API collectively refers to a number of different [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:p:platform|platform]] implementations that are often referred to by their own names (for example, Win32 API); see the versions section. Almost all Windows programs interact with the Windows API; on the Windows NT line of operating systems, a small number (such as programs started early in the Windows startup process) use the Native API.//

==== Overview ====
  : //The functionality provided by the Windows [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:a:api|API]] can be grouped into eight categories://

    : //**Base Services**//
      : //Provide access to the fundamental resources available to a Windows system. Included are things like file systems, devices, processes, threads, and error handling. These functions reside in kernel.exe, krnl286.exe or krnl386.exe files on [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:16bit|16-bit]] Windows, and kernel32.dll on [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:32bit|32-bit]] Windows.//

    : //**Advanced Services**//
      : //Provide access to functionality additional to the kernel. Included are things like the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:w:windowsregistry|Windows registry]], shutdown/restart the system (or abort), start/stop/create a Windows service, manage user accounts. These functions reside in advapi32.dll on 32-bit Windows.//

    : //**Graphics Device Interface**//
      : //Provides functionality for outputting graphical content to monitors, printers and other output devices. It resides in gdi.exe on 16-bit Windows, and gdi32.dll on 32-bit Windows in user-mode. Kernel-mode GDI support is provided by win32k.sys which communicates directly with the graphics driver.//

    : //**User Interface**//
      : //Provides the functionality to create and manage screen windows and most basic controls, such as buttons and scrollbars, receive mouse and keyboard input, and other functionality associated with the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:g:gui]] part of Windows. This functional unit resides in user.exe on [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:16bit|16-bit]] Windows, and user32.dll on [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:32bit|32-bit]] Windows. Since Windows XP versions, the basic controls reside in comctl32.dll, together with the common controls (Common Control Library).//

    : //**Common Dialog Box Library**//
      : //Provides [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:a:application|applications]] the standard dialog boxes for opening and saving files, choosing color and font, etc. The library resides in a file called commdlg.dll on 16-bit Windows, and comdlg32.dll on 32-bit Windows. It is grouped under the User Interface category of the [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:a:api|API]].//

    : //**Common Control Library**//
      : //Gives applications access to some advanced controls provided by the operating system. These include things like status bars, progress bars, toolbars and tabs. The library resides in a DLLfile called commctrl.dll on 16-bit Windows, and comctl32.dll on 32-bit Windows. It is grouped under the User Interface category of the API.//

    : //**Windows Shell**//
      : //Component of the Windows API allows applications to access the functionality provided by the operating system shell, as well as change and enhance it. The component resides in shell.dll on [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:16bit|16-bit]] Windows, and shell32.dll on [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:32bit|32-bit]] Windows. The Shell Lightweight Utility Functions are in shlwapi.dll. It is grouped under the User Interface category of the API.//

    : //**Network Services**//
      : //Give access to the various networking capabilities of the operating system. Its sub-components include NetBIOS, Winsock, NetDDE, RPC and many others. This component resides in netapi32.dll on 32-bit Windows//.

==== Versions ====
  : **Win16** - [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:16bit|16 bit]] version
  : **Win32** - [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:32bit|32 bit]] version
  : **Win64** - [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:00-9:64bit|64 bit]] version
  : **WinCE** - Embedded Compact version


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