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Programming Windows®, Fifth Edition (Microsoft Programming Series) 5th Edition

by Charles Petzold (Author)

4.6 214 ratings

Part of: Developer Reference (77 books)

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Programming Windows: Writing Windows 8 Apps With C# and XAML
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“Look it up in Petzold” remains the decisive last word in answering questions about Windows development. And in PROGRAMMING WINDOWS, FIFTH EDITION, the esteemed Windows Pioneer Award winner revises his classic text with authoritative coverage of the latest versions of the Windows operating system—once again drilling down to the essential API heart of Win32 programming. Topics include:

The basics—input, output, dialog boxes
An introduction to Unicode
Graphics—drawing, text and fonts, bitmaps and metafiles
The kernel and the printer
Sound and music
Dynamic-link libraries
Multitasking and multithreading
The Multiple-Document Interface
Programming for the Internet and intranets

Packed as always with definitive examples, this newest Petzold delivers the ultimate sourcebook and tutorial for Windows programmers at all levels working with Microsoft® Windows 95, Windows 98, or Microsoft Windows NT®. No aspiring or experienced developer can afford to be without it.

An electronic version of this book is available on the companion CD.

A Note Regarding the CD or DVD

The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to booktech@oreilly.com.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles Petzold has been writing about programming for Windows-based operating systems for 24 years. A Microsoft MVP for Client Application Development and a Windows Pioneer Award winner, Petzold is author of the classic Programming Windows, currently in its fifth edition and one of the best-known programming books of all time; the widely acclaimed Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software; and more than a dozen other books.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Microsoft Press; 5th edition (December 2, 1998)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1100 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 157231995X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1572319950
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.5 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.63 x 2.75 x 9.63 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #633,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #148 in Microsoft C & C++ Windows Programming
- #177 in Microsoft OS Guides
- #771 in Software Development (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 214 ratings

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Charles Petzold
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Charles Petzold has been writing about Windows programming for 25 years. A Windows Pioneer Award winner, Petzold is author of the classic Programming Windows, the widely acclaimed Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software, Programming Windows Phone 7, and more than a dozen other books.
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4.6 out of 5

214 global ratings

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shakir

The best textbook on win32 api i have ever read.

Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2022

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This book is truly very good. At first i thought, based on some reviews, that the author simply copied and pasted Microsoft documentation about win32 into the book. Not necessarily. I am 5 chapters into the book, and I can say that this book is a treasure for me. Of course this book assumes that you know how to program in C at an intermediate level at least. But the concept of Windows message system became crystal clear for me. I enjoyed reading this book very much. The concepts of brushes, pens and WM_PAINT message are easy to understand with his explanations. So dont hesitate , if you want to write your own GUI library, or program software using raw Win32 api, then this is the way to go. Knowing how to program in win32 will give you a very solid understanding of how Windows works under the hood. Plus there is no other textbook that is more thorough on this subject, then this book .

ALso another importan aspect of the textbook, once you understand an author’s explanation, you will be able to understand Microsoft documentation on win32 functions.

4 people found this helpful

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Anonymous

Great source for used books

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2023

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The book I received was advertised as acceptable. It does have some very minor blemishes but for a book distributed in 1999 it is in fantastic condition. It even has the unopened CD in the back of the book. The spine is pristine, there are no folded / bent pages, no highlighting / notes or pencil marks. I am beyond pleased with the purchase. Kudos to the book dealer. Much appreciated.

As far as a review of the book itself, look elsewhere. It's been around for decades, is far from current but was gold back when it was written. Writing Windows applications today in C is a beating that only a sadist or a thorough C geek would appreciate. And I love C.

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TonyS

This is what you are looking for.

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2001

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This is an absolutely golden book. Don't be intimidated by the page count or the title - this book is actually a very easy to use ground up tutorial in Win32 programming. He starts out talking about the basics and then slowly moves into more advanced topics.
As always it's important to know what a book is NOT. This book is not a tutorial for writing windows applications, nor does it discuss MFC or most of the common methods used today for rapidly producing computer programs. This is not REALLY a reference book on win32 either.
Instead it provides a tutorial-style documentation for the monstrous win32 API at its most fundamental levels. This book sets the standard for all other code written for any modern version of windows. It addresses real world issues and real world solutions to those problems (such as the chapter dedicated to making unicode friendly programs), as well as some historical issues (the difference between wParam and lParam).
No manual is without its flaws. This book is a bit too braod spectrum in the detail levels. There are places in the book where he will delve into details that you could care less about, and there are points that he will put in two or three sentences and assume you understand, although you may not.
Despite this, this book is essential to everyone writing code for Microsoft Windows (ANY version). You needn't read it cover to cover, but readiny section I (about 1/3 of the book) is essential. My one wish is that this book came in three volumes, if you haul it between home and school/office it gets to be buronsome. That's about all I can really complain about with this book.

27 people found this helpful

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David Hunter

Almost perfect.

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2002

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This book is definately one of a different crop.
It is not so intermediate that the simple beginner would cower before it, yet it is not so basic that it should be a beginner's first read.
This book essentially picks right up from a programmer who is comfortable with C (or C++, but the core is C based) and starts the process of introduction to the Win32 API. While gradual enough that those who prefer a slower pace can follow, it is quick enough to keep the attention of the more fluent programmers.
The good sides are the fact this text introduces the foundations in a very crisp and clear manner while maintaining the reasoning behind the structure. Each step consitantly builds upon the former.
The down side is the fact the latter half pushes more emphasis over the graphical side of the Win32 api, than it does the functionality of Win32.
Another point that would be appreciated in a 6th edition would be some kind of chart or quick reference index.

11 people found this helpful

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Bill

A well-written introduction to the Windows API

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2021

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This book tries to give you a big-picture view of Windows programming. It has plenty of detail, yet never sacrifices conceptual understanding along the way.

Each topic builds on the mental model established by previous topics. There are no major poorly-explained leaps that I've encountered.

Plenty of historical context is given by the author, both for color and for understanding. Actually, the book itself can be considered a piece of historical context! (Yet, it's far from outdated -- the core mechanisms of how the Windows API works haven't changed much.)

The writing style is neither too casual nor too formal. Reading this book is like listening to a likeable expert who does not condescend to you, yet who also does not try too hard to impress you with his knowledge.

Add to that the fact that the book is a blast from the past and chock full of history, and it's really quite worthwhile to anyone who wants to learn Windows programming.

10/10

11 people found this helpful

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Miguel Angel Ortiz Cruz

Este libro no pasa de moda!!!

Reviewed in Mexico on December 12, 2021

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Programación Win32 nativa solo para escritorio. Es lectura obligada para conseguir la excelencia. Recomendado!

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Kenneth Johnsen

THE book about programming Windows.

Reviewed in Germany on May 12, 2023

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Still relevant in 2023, and a very well written book.

@Bookmonsterdragon

DEEP LEARNING , CYBER SECURITY , REVERSING , OPERATING SYSTEM , GUI C PROGRAMMING , KNOW THE UNKNOWN

Reviewed in India on April 19, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is heavy to carry :) but please read it till the end of the book.
This books helps a lot to students ,
who
1.Wants to learn GUI c programming (not that of borland graphics interface )
2.Wants to go deep in reversing and malware analysis , cyber security to get deep in how the os is codded (not an alternative to morderoperating system andrew s tanebum ) but it is unique in coding fundamentals for windows and win32api .
3. while reversing malwares many function you found in assembly code are related to win 32 this book helps you to understand it better however you can also use win32.hlp but this book helps a lot.
4.Operating system (windows ) helps you to understands the basics .
5. Hardware interaction with the os in deep (eg : keyboard , mouse, etc ).
6. a lot of to get known the unknown.(each and every function in deep with respective all the parameter passed)
7.this book is for those who want to step in cyber security ****(helps a lot )

One person found this helpful

Francesco Lui

Ottima guida per la programmazione Win32

Reviewed in Italy on January 13, 2018

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Questo è un libro assolutamente d'oro!! Credo sia uno dei migliori testi per quanto riguarda la guida alla programmazione di Windows utilizzando le Win32 API. Anche se il libro è scritto in inglese, il linguaggio utilizzato è semplice e vengono utilizzate le basi della programmazione in C. Quindi direi un libro alla portata di tutti.

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Julio Cesar Schincariol Filho

This is the best book about Windows Api

Reviewed in Brazil on November 20, 2014

Verified Purchase

Well,

I'm new to c++, learned everything from 2 book for beginners and i want now to start with a more advanced way of programming.
This book is very good, you will understand everything, really well write.

Read this book with Msdn opened to learn even more.

This book is not outdated, if you are like me that want to understand everything from the start about Windows api this the book that you want.

A++++.

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