[q]Learning the win32 API

[kenjoe41]

I am intend for the better part of this month to pour sometime to learn the winAPI cos am just to angry at stumbling on interesting code but its screaming windows and shit~API hence end up not understanding it. Hell i wish it was as easy to the eye as general C++, nearly thought it was Visual C++.
Anyway, there are alot of tutorials on the net, that i must admit but still ask if anyone know a good book on win API cos i can't guarantee access to the internet every free time i get n feel like coding. So shoot up guys and thanks.

[Kulverstukas]

Usually MSDN is enough for a reference. If you know C++, you don't need a book for WinAPI, all you really need is an MSDN reference: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ff818516%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
I use that reference all the time when I'm developing with WinAPI. Provides a great function description, documentation, sample code and user comments and notices at the bottom.

[kenjoe41]

Just checked it out, it will do the job for me. Will really work as a reference. Asante

[xC]

Yeah, as Kulver said MSDN is by far the best reference. They keep it pretty up to date and provide usage examples for most of the commonly used API. There are undocumented API as well not covered by the MSDN, you could find a book to help with that.

[bluechill]

Yeah, as Kulver said MSDN is by far the best reference. They keep it pretty up to date and provide usage examples for most of the commonly used API. There are undocumented API as well not covered by the MSDN, you could find a book to help with that.

Until you are proficient at the documented APIs, don't use the undocumented ones.  They're not to be used lightly, they can change between releases of windows, even minor versions, and they may not be as stable.  Plus, there usually is a reason for it being undocumented in the first place.  Try to stay away from undocumented APIs if you can.

[kenjoe41]

I will remember that bluechill though i don't think i will consider that for sometime now. Just the lot that s documented is tooo much and way over my head. i have been reading but its like the more i read the less i know. Currently i don't think i even know exactly what to concentrate on.

[Heisenburg]

Willing to learn WIn32 API but don't know where to start with.

[Kulverstukas]

Willing to learn WIn32 API but don't know where to start with.

That is a stupid statement in my eyes.
Begin with the reference...

[kenjoe41]

Its a big reference so try a function at a time

[bluechill]

Ugh don't learn the API by doing it a function at a time.  Learn the API as a consequence of learning to do things on windows.  Basically just don't learn the API and use MSDN as a reference when you need it.