API application interface knowledge

The Network is a complicated big platform, where you need to master a variety of technologies, a variety of programming, tools, and so on. The more you know, the more familiar you are with network applications. API as a term, most people do not know what it is, and non-technical personnel are very vague about these terms. APIs are used in applications.

An API is a group of functions that call a function and a service for an application. Programmers can write programs based on API functions, allowing the operating system or a program to activate a program to execute specific functions.

Basically, APIs are the framework of the operating system. They are usually included in the dynamic connection library file named. DLL to control various components, appearances, and services of Windows. This set of pre-defined functions can communicate with the core of the operating system under the API, and then call other programs or services, and allow the program designer to follow the API, architecture of a variety of Windows applications.

Most development tools, such as VB, VC ++, and DELPHI, provide a large number of libraries and controls in advance. These functions are built on WIN32 APIs, it encapsulates the collection of all functions, allowing programmers to focus on software functional design rather than the technical details communicated with the operating system or other programs, it is helpful for accelerating application development.

What is Windows API

Windows API is the Application Programming Interface on the Microsoft 32-bit platform ). All applications running on the Win32 platform can call these functions.

Using Windows APIs, applications can fully tap the potential of Windows 32-bit operating systems. All 32-bit platforms of Mircrosoft support unified APIs, including functions, structures, messages, macros, and interfaces. By using Windows APIs, you can not only develop applications that can be successfully run on various platforms, but also make full use of the features and attributes unique to each platform.

In specific programming, the differences in program implementation modes depend on the underlying functions of the corresponding platform. The most significant difference is that some functions can only implement their functions on a more powerful platform. For example, security functions can only be used in Windows NT operating systems. Another major difference is system restrictions, such as the range constraints of values or the number of projects that can be managed by functions.

Why use Windows APIs

In the early stage of development in the field of Windows programming, only API functions are supported by Windows programmers. In the hands of technicians, these functions can be used to build a variety of interfaces and flexible applications. However, these functions are difficult to understand and are prone to misuse due to their complex structure.

With the continuous development of software technology, many excellent visual programming environments have emerged on Windows platforms, programmers can use the "WYSIWYG" programming method to develop applications with exquisite user interfaces and functions. These Visual programming environments are easy to operate and user-friendly, such as Visual C ++, Delphi, and Visual Basic. These tools provide a large number of class libraries and various controls. They replace the mysterious functions of APIs. In fact, these class libraries and controls are built on Windows APIs, but they are easy to use and accelerate the development of Windows applications, so they are widely used by programmers. With these class libraries and controls, programmers can focus on the design of the overall function without having to focus too much on the details.

In fact, to develop more flexible, practical, and efficient applications, programmers must directly use API functions. Although the class libraries and controls make application development easier, they only provide general functions of Microsoft Windows. For some complex and special functions, it is difficult to use single class libraries and controls. You must use API functions to compile them directly. API functions are the cornerstone of building the entire Windows framework. Only by fully understanding and using API functions can we go deep into Windows and give full play to the powerful functions and flexibility of various 32-bit platforms, in order to successfully expand and break through the limitations of class libraries, controls, and visual development environments.