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About Win32++
This documentation describes the features of Win32++, version 10.1. A
copy of Win32++ can be downloaded from the following web sites:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32-framework
https://github.com/DavidNash2024/Win32xx
The documentation for the Win32++ library is included as part of the Win32++ download. It is also available here.
Win32++ is an open-source C++ library designed to simplify the development of Windows API-based applications. It provides a modern C++ interface while staying lightweight and easy to use. Here are some key features:
- Modern C++ Interface: Win32++ leverages C++ features like classes,
inheritance, and templates to provide a more intuitive and modern way of
creating Windows applications.
- Lightweight: Unlike larger frameworks such as MFC or Qt, Win32++ is
designed to be lightweight and has minimal overhead. This makes it
suitable for smaller applications or for developers who prefer to stay
close to the Windows API.
- Ease of Use: The library simplifies many
of the tasks associated with Windows programming, such as creating
windows, handling messages, and managing resources. It is implemented as
a header-only library which simplifies the build process.
- Extensibility: Win32++ allows developers to easily extend its
functionality, making it adaptable to a wide range of application needs.
Its modular design allows developers to include as much or as little of
the library as they require.
- Open Source: It is freely available under an open-source license, allowing developers to use and modify it as needed.
Win32++ is a C++ library used to build windows applications. Win32++ is a free alternative to MFC. It has the added advantage of being able to run on a wide range of free compilers, including Visual Studio Community, Clang, and the MinGW compiler provided with CodeBlocks and Dev-C++.
Win32++ provides a thin layer over the Windows API and is similar to MFC. There are several differences to MFC however. Win32++ uses very few macros, and doesn't use macros for message maps. All the code for Win32++ is provided in a set of header files. There is no need for any additional DLLs or libraries apart from those DLLs that are part of the window operating system. Win32++ has view windows but doesn't impose a Doc/View architecture on users. Users are free to employ a Doc/View architecture if they choose.
The current version of Win32++ supports all Windows operating systems Windows XP and later. To use Win32++ to develop code for operating systems that came before Windows XP, you will need to download an earlier version Win32++. Win32++ version 9.6.1 is the latest version that supports operating systems, from Windows 95 through to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.
This documentation is intended to be used along side the documentation for the Windows Application Programming Interface (API). The Windows API documentation ships as part of Microsoft's free Visual Studio Community. This documentation can be configured for offline viewing. An older version of the Windows API documentation ships as part of Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 R2 Platform SDK.
The Windows API documentation ships with:
Microsoft Visual Studio:
https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/downloads/download-visual-studio-vs.aspx
Microsoft
Platform SDK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows_SDK