Overview
What is the Subject Area?
Win32 API calls from Visual Basic 6 - allowing the VB programmer to access the powerful repertoire of API calls available when programming in Windows.Visual Basic does an excellent job of letting developers build sophisticated Windows applications in a relatively short amount of time. This allows one to quickly build prototypes for end-users to evaluate and test, which can accelerate the development cycle. However, this ease of use does have its disadvantages. By shielding the programmer from the low-level Win32 calls, s/he may not be able to optimize certain functions and/or perform some tasks that the users have requested. Unless a programmer has started his/her career developing Windows applications in a lower level language like C or Pascal, they may be unfamiliar with the API calls that can be made to the OS. This can lead to frustration or confusion in using an API procedure that may behave unexpectedly.
Currently, there exist a number of references, both on the Internet and in printed form, that have documented virtually all of the Win32 API calls that can be made. While most of them do an fine job in explaining what the calls do, there are relatively few books that show clear, step-by-step examples that can be applied to business development. This book will address the newcomer to VB who is just starting to learn how to code within the environment, and give them clear explanations to the Win32 calls within a project application.
What's Great About this Book?
Makes API programming accessible and understandable to Visual Basic programmersStarts from the ground up - no previous experience of Windows programming required
Gives great practical examples of the key API calls in a structured tutorial format
Enables readers to then explore and exploit the vast range of API calls on their own
Who is this Book for?
Visual Basic programmers who have some experience programming with Visual Basic, who now want to exploit the resources of the Windows environment.Since the primary focus of the book is on the Win32 API, the reader should be able to use either VB4 32-bit or VB6, except for the sections on callbacks (only VB6 can be used in these areas). Also, the calls will be limited to 32 bit calls - no 16 bit calls will be addressed.
The author will handle any knowledge of building components to encapsulate API functionality - it will not be a requirement of the reader to understand COM at any level. All component examples will be specified in full for the reader to keep the emphasis on the API calls.