Table Of ContentTHE TOME OF DELPHI: WIN32 CORE API
The Tomes of Delphi 3: Win32 Core API
(Publisher: Wordware Publishing, Inc.)
Author(s): Ayres, Bowden, Diehl, Dorcas, Harrison, Mathes, Reza & Tobin
ISBN: 1556225563
Publication Date: 12/01/97
THE TOME OF DELPHI: WIN32 CORE API
DefMDIChildProc.............................................96
DefWindowProc.................................................97
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DispatchMessage...............................................98
GetMessage.......................................................99
INTRODUCTION....................................5 GetMessageExtraInfo......................................102
GetMessagePos................................................103
The Featured Chapters........................................5
GetMessageTime..............................................104
Conventions.........................................................7
GetQueueStatus...............................................104
Function Descriptions.........................................8
InSendMessage................................................106
Sample Programs................................................8
PeekMessage...................................................107
The CD-ROM.......................................................8
PostMessage....................................................109
Who This Book is For..........................................9
PostQuitMessage.............................................111
ABOUT THE AUTHORS.......................11 PostThreadMessage.........................................112
Dedication.........................................................12 RegisterWindowMessage.................................114
Acknowledgments..............................................13 ReplyMessage..................................................115
FOREWORD........................................15 SendMessage...................................................116
SendMessageCallback.....................................117
CHAPTER 1 DELPHI AND THE WINDOWS
SendMessageTimeout......................................119
API.....................................................17 SendNotifyMessage..........................................122
The Windows API Versus the VCL....................17 SetMessageExtraInfo.......................................124
Windows Data Types.........................................17 SetWindowsHookEx.........................................124
Handles.................................................................19 WH_CALLWNDPROC Hook Function.............126
Constants...............................................................19 WH_CALLWNDPROCRET Hook Function.....127
Strings...................................................................20 WH_CBT Hook Function...................................128
Importing Windows Functions...........................20 WH_DEBUG Hook Function.............................131
Incorrectly Imported Functions.............................20 WH_GETMESSAGE Hook Function.................132
Callback Functions............................................20 WH_JOURNALPLAYBACK Hook Function...133
Function Parameters.........................................21 WH_JOURNALRECORD Hook Function.........135
WH_KEYBOARD Hook Function.....................136
Unicode.............................................................22
WH_MOUSE Hook Function.............................138
CHAPTER 2 WINDOWS 95 LOGO WH_MSGFILTER Hook Function.....................139
REQUIREMENTS AND DELPHI............23 WH_SHELL Hook Function..............................140
WH_SYSMSGFILTER Hook Function.............141
Getting a Logo...................................................25
TranslateMessage............................................144
Product Categories............................................26
UnhookWindowsHookEx.................................144
Taking the Test..................................................27
WaitMessage....................................................145
Product Reliability (Basic Requirements).............27
User Experience....................................................28 CHAPTER 5 WINDOW INFORMATION
General Accessibility Requirements and Tips...39 FUNCTIONS...................................... 147
Application Compatibility.....................................41
Information Storage.........................................147
CHAPTER 3 WINDOW CREATION Window Specific Information...........................147
FUNCTIONS ........................................43 Subclassing a Window.....................................148
Knowing It All..................................................149
Creating Windows: The Basic Steps..................43
Window Information Functions.......................153
The Window Procedure.....................................44
AnyPopup...........................................................155
Hardcore Windows Programming.....................45
ChildWindowFromPoint.....................................156
Window Types....................................................46
ChildWindowFromPointEx................................157
Multiple Document Interface.............................47
EnableWindow...................................................159
Extending Functionality....................................52 EnumChildWindows...........................................160
Window Creation and Registration Functions..54 EnumProps..........................................................162
CreateMDIWindow...............................................54 EnumPropsEx.....................................................164
CreateWindow......................................................57 EnumThreadWindow..........................................167
CreateWindowEx..................................................71 EnumWindows...................................................169
DestroyWindow....................................................76 FindWindow.......................................................171
RegisterClass.........................................................77 FindWindowEx...................................................172
RegisterClassEx....................................................81 FlashWindow......................................................173
UnregisterClass.....................................................82 GetActiveWindow..............................................174
CHAPTER 4 MESSAGE PROCESSING GetClassInfo.......................................................175
GetClassInfoEx...................................................177
FUNCTIONS ........................................85 GetClassLong.....................................................179
The Message Queue and Message Loop............85 GetClassName....................................................181
Windows Hooks.................................................86 GetClientRect.....................................................182
Interprocess Communication.............................86 GetDesktopWindow............................................183
GetFocus.............................................................184
Message Processing Functions..........................86
GetForegroundWindow......................................185
BroadcastSystemMessage..................................87
GetNextWindow.................................................186
CallNextHookEx................................................89
GetParent............................................................187
CallWindowProc...............................................90 GetProp...............................................................188
DefFrameProc...................................................93 GetTopWindow..................................................189
i
CONTENT
GetWindow.........................................................190 TerminateProcess................................................265
GetWindowLong.................................................191 TerminateThread.................................................266
GetWindowRect..................................................194 TlsAlloc..............................................................268
GetWindowText..................................................195 TlsFree................................................................269
GetWindowTextLength.......................................196 TlsGetValue........................................................270
IsChild.................................................................197 TlsSetValue........................................................271
IsIconic................................................................198 WaitForInputIdle................................................271
IsWindow............................................................199 WaitForSingleObject..........................................273
IsWindowEnabled...............................................200 CHAPTER 7 DYNAMIC LINK LIBRARY
IsWindowUnicode..............................................200
IsWindowVisible................................................201 FUNCTIONS...................................... 275
IsZoomed............................................................202 Importing/Exporting Functions.......................275
RemoveProp........................................................203 Calling Conventions........................................276
SetActiveWindow...............................................204
The Dynamic Link Library Entry Point Function
SetClassLong......................................................205
.........................................................................276
SetFocus..............................................................206
Dynamic Link Library Functions.....................276
SetForegroundWindow.......................................208
SetParent.............................................................208 DLLEntrypoint...................................................277
SetProp................................................................209 DisableThreadLibraryCalls.................................278
SetWindowLong.................................................210 FreeLibrary.........................................................279
SetWindowText..................................................212 FreeLibraryAndExitThread.................................279
WindowFromPoint..............................................213 GetModuleFileName..........................................282
GetModuleHandle...............................................283
CHAPTER 6 PROCESS AND THREAD GetProcAddress..................................................284
FUNCTIONS ......................................215 LoadLibrary........................................................285
LoadLibraryEx....................................................287
Processes.........................................................215
Threads............................................................215 CHAPTER 8 INITIALIZATION FILE AND
Critical Section................................................215 REGISTRY FUNCTIONS.................... 291
Semaphores.....................................................215
Initialization Files............................................291
Mutexes............................................................215
The Registry.....................................................291
Events..............................................................216
Initialization File and Registry Functions.......291
Interlocked Variables......................................216 GetPrivateProfileInt............................................292
Priority Levels.................................................216 GetPrivateProfileSection.....................................293
Processes and Thread Functions.....................216 GetPrivateProfileSectionNames..........................294
CreateEvent.........................................................218 GetPrivateProfileString.......................................296
CreateMutex........................................................220 GetPrivateProfileStruct.......................................298
CreateProcess......................................................223 GetProfileInt.......................................................299
CreateSemaphore................................................226 GetProfileSection................................................300
CreateThread.......................................................229 GetProfileString..................................................300
DeleteCriticalSection..........................................230 RegCloseKey......................................................301
DuplicateHandle..................................................230 RegCreateKeyEx................................................302
EnterCriticalSection............................................234 RegDeleteKey.....................................................305
ExitProcess..........................................................234 RegDeleteValue..................................................306
ExitThread...........................................................235 RegEnumKeyEx.................................................308
GetCurrentProcess..............................................236 RegEnumValue...................................................310
GetCurrentProcessId...........................................237 RegFlushKey......................................................313
GetCurrentThread...............................................237 RegLoadKey.......................................................314
GetCurrentThreadId............................................238 RegOpenKeyEx..................................................315
GetExitCodeProcess............................................238 RegQueryInfoKey...............................................317
GetExitCodeThread.............................................239 RegQueryValueEx..............................................319
GetPriorityClass..................................................241 RegReplaceKey..................................................322
GetThreadPriority...............................................243 RegSaveKey.......................................................323
GetWindowThreadProcessId..............................245 RegSetValueEx...................................................324
InitializeCriticalSection.......................................246 RegUnLoadKey..................................................326
InterlockedDecrement.........................................247 WritePrivateProfileSection.................................327
InterlockedExchange...........................................249 WritePrivateProfileString...................................329
InterlockedIncrement..........................................250 WritePrivateProfileStruct....................................331
LeaveCriticalSection...........................................250 WriteProfileSection............................................333
OpenEvent...........................................................251 WriteProfileString...............................................334
OpenMutex.........................................................252 CHAPTER 9 MEMORY MANAGEMENT
OpenProcess........................................................254
OpenSemaphore..................................................256 FUNCTIONS...................................... 337
PulseEvent...........................................................257 API Versus Delphi...........................................337
ReleaseMutex......................................................257 The Win32 Virtual Memory Architecture.........337
ReleaseSemaphore..............................................258
Categories of Memory Allocation Functions...337
ResetEvent..........................................................259
Heaps...............................................................338
ResumeThread....................................................260
The 16-Bit Memory Functions.........................338
SetEvent..............................................................260
SetPriorityClass...................................................261 Virtual Memory................................................338
SetThreadPriority................................................262 Three States of Memory...................................339
Sleep....................................................................264 How Much Memory is Really There?..............339
SuspendThread....................................................264
ii
THE TOME OF DELPHI: WIN32 CORE API
Multiple Heaps................................................339 ActivateKeyboardLayout....................................417
Error Trapping................................................340 ClipCursor..........................................................418
Thread Access..................................................340 DragDetect..........................................................418
GetAsyncKeyState..............................................420
Speed...............................................................340
GetCapture..........................................................420
Memory Management Functions.....................341
GetCaretBlinkTime.............................................421
CopyMemory......................................................342
GetCaretPos........................................................422
FillMemory.........................................................343
GetClipCursor.....................................................422
GetProcessHeap..................................................344
GetCursorPos......................................................423
GlobalAlloc.........................................................345
GetDoubleClickTime..........................................424
GlobalDiscard.....................................................347
GetInputState......................................................424
GlobalFlags.........................................................348
GetKeyboardLayout............................................425
GlobalFree...........................................................349
GetKeyboardLayoutList.....................................425
GlobalHandle......................................................350
GetKeyboardLayoutName..................................426
GlobalLock.........................................................350
GetKeyboardState...............................................427
GlobalMemoryStatus..........................................351
GetKeyboardType...............................................428
GlobalReAlloc....................................................353
GetKeyNameText...............................................430
GlobalSize...........................................................356
GetKeyState........................................................431
GlobalUnlock......................................................356
keybd_event........................................................433
HeapAlloc...........................................................357
joyGetDevCaps...................................................434
HeapCreate..........................................................360
joyGetNumDevs.................................................437
HeapDestoy.........................................................361
joyGetPos............................................................438
HeapFree.............................................................361
joyGetPosEx.......................................................439
HeapReAlloc.......................................................362
joyGetThreshold.................................................442
HeapSize.............................................................364
joyReleaseCapture..............................................443
IsBadCodePtr......................................................365
joySetCapture.....................................................444
IsBadReadPtr......................................................366
joySetThreshold..................................................447
IsBadStringPtr.....................................................367
LoadKeyboardLayout.........................................448
IsBadWritePtr......................................................368
MapVirtualKey...................................................450
LocalAlloc...........................................................369
MapVirtualKeyEx...............................................452
LocalDiscard.......................................................371
mouse_event.......................................................454
LocalFlags...........................................................372
OemKeyScan......................................................456
LocalFree............................................................373
ReleaseCapture...................................................457
LocalHandle........................................................373
SetCapture..........................................................458
LocalLock...........................................................374
SetCaretBlinkTime.............................................458
LocalReAlloc......................................................375
SetCaretPos.........................................................459
LocalSize.............................................................378
SetCursorPos......................................................460
LocalUnlock........................................................378
SetDoubleClickTime..........................................461
MoveMemory......................................................379
SetKeyboardState...............................................462
VirtualAlloc........................................................381
SwapMouseButton..............................................462
VirtualFree..........................................................384
UnloadKeyboardLayout......................................465
VirtualProtect......................................................385
VkKeyScan.........................................................466
VirtualQuery.......................................................387
VkKeyScanEx.....................................................467
ZeroMemory.......................................................389
CHAPTER 12 FILE INPUT/OUTPUT
CHAPTER 10 CLIPBOARD
FUNCTIONS...................................... 469
MANIPULATION FUNCTIONS...........391
File Creation....................................................469
Clipboard Internals.........................................391
File Times........................................................469
Conversion Formats........................................391
File Input/Output Functions............................469
Delayed Rendering..........................................392
CloseHandle........................................................471
Clipboard Viewers...........................................394
CompareFileTime...............................................472
Clipboard Manipulation Functions.................394 CopyFile.............................................................474
ChangeClipboardChain.......................................395 CreateDirectory...................................................475
CloseClipboard....................................................396 CreateDirectoryEx..............................................477
CountClipboardFormats......................................396 CreateFile............................................................478
EmptyClipboard..................................................397 CreateFileMapping.............................................483
EnumClipboardFormats......................................397 DeleteFile............................................................488
GetClipboardData...............................................399 DosDateTimeToFileTime...................................489
GetClipboardFormatName..................................401 FileTimeToDosDateTime...................................490
GetClipboardOwner............................................402 FileTimeToLocalFileTime..................................491
GetClipboardViewer...........................................403 FileTimeToSystemTime.....................................492
GetOpenClipboardWindow.................................403 FindClose............................................................496
GetPriorityClipboardFormat...............................404 FindCloseChangeNotification.............................496
IsClipboardFormatAvailable...............................405 FindFirstChangeNotification..............................497
OpenClipboard....................................................406 FindFirstFile.......................................................500
RegisterClipboardFormat....................................407 FindNextChangeNotification..............................503
SetClipboardData................................................408 FindNextFile.......................................................503
SetClipboardViewer............................................411 FlushFileBuffers.................................................504
CHAPTER 11 INPUT FUNCTIONS......415 FlushViewOfFile................................................505
GetCurrentDirectory...........................................506
The Keyboard..................................................415
GetFileAttributes................................................507
The Mouse.......................................................415
GetFileInformationByHandle.............................508
Input Functions................................................415
iii
CONTENT
GetFileSize..........................................................511 wvsprintf.............................................................602
GetFileTime........................................................511 CHAPTER 14 SYSTEM INFORMATION
GetFileType........................................................513
GetFileVersionInfo.............................................513 FUNCTIONS...................................... 607
GetFileVersionInfoSize.......................................514 Accessibility Features......................................607
GetShortPathName..............................................515 System Information Functions.........................608
GetTempFileName..............................................516 ExpandEnvironmentStrings................................609
GetTempPath......................................................518 FreeEnvironmentStrings.....................................610
LocalFileTimeToFileTime..................................518 GetCommandLine...............................................611
LockFile..............................................................519 GetComputerName.............................................611
MapViewOfFile..................................................520 GetDiskFreeSpace..............................................612
MoveFile.............................................................522 GetDriveType.....................................................614
OpenFileMapping...............................................522 GetEnvironmentStrings......................................615
ReadFile..............................................................524 GetEnvironmentVariable....................................616
RemoveDirectory................................................525 GetLocaleInfo.....................................................617
SearchPath...........................................................526 GetLocalTime.....................................................623
SetCurrentDirectory............................................527 GetLogicalDrives................................................624
SetEndOfFile.......................................................528 GetLogicalDriveStrings......................................626
SetFileAttributes.................................................529 GetStartupInfo....................................................627
SetFilePointer......................................................532 GetSystemDefaultLangID...................................628
SetFileTime.........................................................533 GetSystemDefaultLCID......................................629
SystemTimeToFileTime......................................534 GetSystemDirectory............................................630
UnlockFile...........................................................535 GetSystemInfo....................................................631
UnmapViewOfFile..............................................536 GetSystemTime..................................................635
VerQueryValue...................................................537 GetSystemTimeAsFileTime...............................636
WriteFile.............................................................543 GetTimeZoneInformation...................................636
CHAPTER 13 STRING AND ATOM GetUserDefaultLangID.......................................638
GetUserDefaultLCID..........................................639
FUNCTIONS ......................................547
GetUserName.....................................................639
Atom Tables.....................................................547 GetVersionEx.....................................................641
String Conversions..........................................548 GetVolumeInformation.......................................642
String Formatting............................................548 GetWindowsDirectory........................................644
String and Atom Functions..............................548 SetComputerName..............................................645
AddAtom.............................................................549 SetEnvironmentVariable.....................................646
CharLower..........................................................551 SetLocaleInfo......................................................647
CharLowerBuff...................................................552 SetLocalTime......................................................651
CharNext.............................................................553 SetSystemTime...................................................653
CharPrev.............................................................554 SetVolumeLabel.................................................654
CharToOem.........................................................554 SystemParametersInfo........................................655
CharToOemBuff.................................................556 VerLanguageName.............................................677
CharUpper...........................................................557 CHAPTER 15 TIMER FUNCTIONS.... 681
CharUpperBuff....................................................557
Emulating a Timer...........................................681
CompareString....................................................558
Precise Timing.................................................683
DeleteAtom.........................................................562
Windows Timer Functions...............................684
EnumSystemCodePages......................................563
EnumSystemLocales...........................................565 GetTickCount.....................................................684
FindAtom............................................................567 KillTimer............................................................685
FormatMessage...................................................568 QueryPerformanceCounter.................................686
GetACP...............................................................573 QueryPerformanceFrequency.............................687
GetAtomName....................................................574 SetTimer.............................................................688
GetCPInfo...........................................................575 CHAPTER 16 ERROR FUNCTIONS.... 691
GetDateFormat....................................................577 Error Descriptions...........................................691
GetOEMCP.........................................................580
Audible Error Cues..........................................692
GetTimeFormat...................................................582
Windows Error Functions................................692
GlobalAddAtom..................................................585
Beep....................................................................693
GlobalDeleteAtom..............................................586
ExitWindows......................................................693
GlobalFindAtom.................................................587
ExitWindowsEx..................................................694
GlobalGetAtomName.........................................587
FatalAppExit.......................................................696
InitAtomTable.....................................................588
GetLastError.......................................................697
IsCharAlpha........................................................589
MessageBeep......................................................698
IsCharAlphaNumeric..........................................590
SetLastError........................................................699
IsCharLower.......................................................591
IsCharUpper........................................................591 APPENDIX BIBLIOGRAPHY.............. 701
lstrcat...................................................................592 INDEX............................................... 703
lstrcmp................................................................593
lstrcmpi...............................................................595 On the CD-ROM..............................................716
lstrcpy..................................................................596
lstrlen..................................................................597
MakeIntAtom......................................................597
OemToChar.........................................................598
OemToCharBuff.................................................599
ToAscii................................................................600
iv
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The Windows programming environment. No other operating system in history has caused so much
controversy or confusion among the programming industry. Of course, no other operating system in
history has made so many millionaires either. Like it or not, Windows is here to stay. It’s hard to
ignore such a large user base, and there are few job opportunities anymore that do not require the
programmer to have knowledge of the Windows environment.
In the beginning, a programmer’s only choice of tools for creating Windows applications was
C/C++. The age of this language has resulted in a wealth of Windows API documentation, filled
with abstract and incomplete information, and examples that are as esoteric and arcane as the C
language itself. Then along came Delphi. A new era in Windows programming was born, with the
ability to easily create complex and advanced Windows applications with a turnaround time
unheard of previously. Although Delphi tries its best to insulate the programmer from the
underlying Windows architecture, Delphi programmers have found that some programming
obstacles simply cannot be overcome without using low-level Windows API functions. Although
there have been a few books that touched on the subject of using Windows API functions in Delphi,
none have ever tackled the issue in depth. There are numerous magazine articles that describe very
specific subsets of the API, but unless the Delphi programmer has a background in C, and the time
to convert a C example into Delphi, there was simply no recourse of action. Thus, this book was
born.
This book is a reference manual for using Windows 32-bit API functions in the Delphi environment.
As such, it is not a Windows or Delphi programming tutorial, nor is it a collection of Delphi tricks
that solve specific problems. To date, this book is the most complete and accurate reference to the
Windows API for the Delphi programmer. It is not a complete reference, as the Windows API
includes thousands upon thousands of functions that would fill many volumes much larger than the
one you are holding. However, this book covers the most common and important cross section of
the Windows API. Additionally, every function in this book is available under both Windows 95
and Windows NT 4.0. Most of these functions will also work under Windows NT prior to the new
version.
The Featured Chapters
Chapter 1: Delphi and the Windows API
This chapter introduces the reader to The Tomes of Delphi 3: Win32 Core API. It covers general
Windows programming concerns and techniques, and explains various nuances of programming
with the Win32 API in the Delphi environment.
Chapter 2: Windows 95 Logo Requirements and Delphi
This chapter covers Microsoft’s application requirements for putting the “Made For Windows 95”
logo on a product. It explores the different requirements for each product category, and outlines self
tests that will help your application pass the VeriTest exam.
Chapter 3: Window Creation Functions
Creating a window is the most fundamental part of any Windows application. Chapter 3 covers the
low-level window creation and class registration functions. Examples include techniques for
creating windows and windowed controls using low-level API functions, and how to extend the
functionality of existing Delphi windowed controls.
5
INTORDUCTOIN
Chapter 4: Message Processing Functions
Windows allows applications to communicate with each other and with the system through the use
of messages, and this chapter covers the functions used to manipulate and send them. Examples
include interprocess communication using registered, user-defined Windows messages, and how to
install Windows hooks.
Chapter 5: Window Information Functions
The developer may need to programmatically query a window for some piece of information. This
chapter covers functions used to retrieve information on specific windows, such as a window’s size,
position, and attributes. Examples include subclassing a window and changing window attributes at
runtime.
Chapter 6: Process and Thread Functions
Multitasking environments allow an application to spawn other applications, or even another thread
of execution within itself. This chapter covers the functions used to create and manage threads and
processes. Examples include creating and destroying a thread, launching an external process,
creating a mutex, and using thread events.
Chapter 7: Dynamic Link Library Functions
Dynamic link libraries are at the core of the Windows operating system architecture, and Windows
could not run without them. This chapter covers functions that allow an application to load and
import functions from a DLL. Examples include explicitly loading a DLL and importing its
functions at runtime, and providing a user-defined DLL entry point.
Chapter 8: Initialization File and Registry Functions
Well-designed and robust applications often need to save information about the last state of the
program when it shuts down. This chapter covers functions used to manipulate and modify
initialization files and the Windows registry. Examples including reading and writing values to
initialization files, and modifying registry entries.
Chapter 9: Memory Management Functions
Only the most simplistic of programs will not need access to dynamically allocated memory. This
chapter covers functions used to allocate and release system and virtual memory. Examples
demonstrate heap management routines, virtual memory allocation, and retrieving information
about allocated memory blocks.
Chapter 10: Clipboard Manipulation Functions
The ability to share information between applications through copy and paste is an expected
requirement from Windows users. This chapter covers the functions used to manipulate and view
the contents of the clipboard. Examples including enumerating clipboard formats, registering a new
clipboard format, and viewing the clipboard contents.
Chapter 11: Input Functions
Without the functionality to interpret user input, most applications would be relatively useless. This
chapter covers functions used to receive input from the user, such as keyboard and mouse input.
6
INTRODUCTION
Examples include receiving input from the joystick, retrieving information about the keyboard, and
manipulating the cursor.
Chapter 12: File Input/Output Functions
Most applications need the ability to read and write information to an external storage device, and
this chapter covers the functions used to manipulate disk-based files. Examples include creating
files, manipulating file attributes, reading and writing to a file at the binary level, and performing a
file search.
Chapter 13: String and Atom Functions
All applications need to display information to the user, which usually takes place in the form of a
string. This chapter covers string manipulation functions and functions used to allocate and remove
global atoms. Examples include formatting messages, atom manipulation, and string manipulation.
Chapter 14: System Information Functions
It may sometimes be useful to retrieve specific information about the system or hardware that is
running an application. This chapter covers functions used to query the system for information.
Examples include retrieving system hardware information, retrieving environment variables, and
modifying system parameters.
Chapter 15: Timer Functions
Setting up a timer to repeatedly call a function is the only solution for some programming issues.
This chapter covers essential functions used to create a low-level Windows timer. Examples include
utilizing the high-resolution timer to measure code performance.
Chapter 16: Error Functions
Error management is always an issue with any programming project. This chapter covers functions
used in debugging and error management. Examples include displaying system-defined error strings
and user-defined error values.
Conventions
Certain writing conventions have been used throughout this book to convey specific meanings. All
example code throughout each chapter appears in a monospace font, such as:
function HelloThere(Info: string): Integer;
begin
ShowMessage(Info);
end;
Note: All code shown is quoted in Courier
New, 9pt.
- by [email protected]
In order to be consistent with other works on Delphi programming, the example code uses
Borland’s coding conventions, which includes using mixed case for variable names and identifiers,
lowercase for reserved words, and nested code indented two spaces per level. Any constants used in
the code will appear in all capitals, such as TRUE and FALSE. Also, notice that the name of the
unit that contains an individual function is located on the same line as the function name. This unit
7
INTORDUCTOIN
must be included in the Uses clause of any unit in which this function is used. However, most of the
functions covered in this series are located in the Windows.Pas file, which is automatically added to
the Uses clause by Delphi. In addition, when the text refers to a window, as in a visual object on the
screen, the word “window” will begin with a lowercase letter. When the text refers to Windows, as
in the operating system, the word “Windows” will be capitalized.
Function Descriptions
The Windows API function descriptions have been laid out in a format that provides an increasing
amount of detail to the reader. This should allow the reader to quickly glance at a function
description for a simple reminder of required parameters, or to read further for a detailed
explanation of the function, an example of its use, and any acceptable constant values used in a
parameter.
Each function description includes the exact syntax found in the Delphi source code, a description
of what the function does, a detailed list and description of the function’s parameters, the value
returned from the function, a list of related functions, and an example of its use. Any defined
constants used in a function parameter are found in tables that follow the example, so that the
descriptive text of the function is not broken by a distraction, and all of the constants are available
in one place for easy perusal.
Sample Programs
Although every book reaches a point where the authors are frantically hacking away at the text
trying to meet deadlines, the authors did not want the example code to suffer due to time restraints.
Unlike some other books, we wanted to make sure that our example code worked in every case.
Therefore, the writers have taken every effort to ensure that the source code on the CD works as
expected and that the code in the book is the exact code on the CD. This should guarantee that code
entered straight from the text will work as described. However, most of the code examples rely on
buttons, edit boxes, or other components residing on the form, which may not be apparent from the
code listing. When in doubt, always look at the source code included on the CD.
The CD-ROM
The companion CD-ROM that accompanies this book is a multimedia experience containing all of
the source code from the book, a complete Delphi syntax-compliant help file, shareware, freeware,
and an assortment of third-party development and evaluation tools. The third-party development
and evaluation tools include:
PackageForTheWeb: FREE Retail version:
Rapidly deploy your applications and ActiveX controls on the Internet with PackageForTheWeb.
Create self-extracting EXEs or CAB files to distribute your applications and components.
PackageForTheWeb requests all the information needed in a simple wizard and immediately builds
the file to your specifications. PackageForTheWeb will also digitally sign files so your customers
know they are getting authentic software. This is a complete FREE version of this program courtesy
of InstallShield Corporation.
DemoShield 5.1 Evaluation Edition:
DemoShield is a demo creation tool that lets even nontechnical Windows users design interactive
software demos, tutorials, and CD browsers. Multimedia demos are a snap with DemoShield’s
SmartTemplates and wizards that automate demo creation, software simulation, and distribution by
floppy disk, CD, intranet, or the Internet. Use our point-and-click designer and prebuilt templates to
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