Visual Basic 6 Win32 API Tutorial
|
|
The book begins with the basics of the Win32 API, including system dynamic-link libraries (DLLs). The author covers Win32 API declarations and the often tricky mappings between Visual Basic and Win32 C data types. (His tips on using Strings will be indispensable for anyone who has ever struggled with Unicode Strings within Visual Basic.) The author uses a simple file encryption program to illustrate basic Win32 calls for better file input/output (I/O), including reading and writing files.
Bock also offers tips for extending user interfaces, including how to customize the TreeView control. Next come GDI graphics calls, including customizing a form's background and using bitmaps for menu items. Tips on setting hooks for your windows and using callback functions round out the tour. Final chapters introduce material on COM that shows you how to package modules using Win32 calls into reusable objects.
Throughout the Visual Basic 6 Win32 API Tutorial, the author's
exceptionally clear prose style--and distinctively personal touch--helps
bring the reader along. This excellent book assumes only a basic knowledge
of Visual Basic and absolutely no C/C++ experience. It puts the benefits
of Win32 C API programming into the hands of almost every Visual Basic
developer. --Richard Dragan
Customer Reviews:
Good, but not for beginners,
July 12, 2000
Reviewer:
Taz from
Australia
A lot of people have mixed feelings
about this book. But i think it really depends on your level of
programming. If you are a absoloute beginner to the Win32 API, then forget
this book, it'll just get you lost. If you have a little experiance in the
API, (for example, i had used the API for a few BitBlt functions), then
this is a good 'next level' book. If you have no idea what i mean when i
say 'BitBlt Functions' then this book probably isn't for you. This book is
a good reference and fairly useful when troubleshooting API problems, and
it also goes a bit beyond the Win32 API which can be informitive. I
enjoyed reading this, and escpecially building the encryption program that
this book helps you compile along the way, but as i said before it really
matters what skill level you are at.
Excellent
Book for API Beginners!, March 14, 2000
Reviewer:
Richard Callaby from Bradenton,
Florida
Personally I thought this book was great for
progammers just starting out with the API or Applications Programmers
Interface. The examples are well laid out and the code is mostly bug free.
Yes this book does not have the depth of some other earlier mentioned
books, however it is important to realize that this is a tutorial. Because
this book claims to be a tutorial it should be rated on how well it
teaches the subject. Personally I think the author did a great job and I
learned a significant amount from this book.
Back to Books