Commando Windows™ Programming

Most Windows^™ programming books talk about event loops, GDI, device contexts, and update routines — which is fine if you have plenty of time to learn the intricacies of Windows programming. But you live in the real world. You write real applications to access databases, fill in forms, and print reports.Commando Windows Programming shows you how to write these programs fast without having to learn every detail about Windows.

The book covers many techniques and tools to help you code for Windows and Windows NT, including:

• Writing dialog-only and menu-only programs
• Emulating text-based programs with edit controls
• Using libraries to simplify application creation
• Using Borland's OWL, Microsoft's Visual C++, and similar products

Commando Windows Programming also includes two original libraries — TWIN and VWIN — that simplify many common programming tasks. TWIN simplifies the writing of text-based programs, and VWIN works for any type of program. These libraries also provide a starting point for developing your own tools.

Commando Windows Programming offers a quick return on your reading investment. Unlike other Windows books, you'll start writing practical programs right away.

1. Windows Myths
• Howdy World
• Commando Programmer Have Shortcuts
• Why Is Windows This Way?
• When Using Windows Is Better
• Where to Next?
2. Windows Basics
• Anatomy of a Windows Program
• Classy Windows
• Creating a Window
• Events and Messages
• License to Export
• Drawing to the Screen
• Memory Allocation
• Resources
• Special Libraries
• Compiling and Linking
• Learning More
3. Unlimited Resources
• How to Write Howdy
• A Simple CD Player
• Back to Basics
• Forms for Free
• Events
• The GUI
• Using Common Dialogs
• Giving Good PHONE
• Constructing Resources
4. Porting Without Pain
• Why Not a DOS Box?
• Available Tools
• Borland
• Microsoft
• TWIN
• Advanced QuickWin Features
• Opening Windows
• Closing Windows
• Behaving Under Windows
• Split-Personality Programs
• QuickWin Graphics
• QuickWin Limitations
• A QuickWin Program
• Using TWIN
• TWIN Configuration
• TWIN Global Variables
• TWIN Menus
• Advanced Use of TWIN
• How TWIN Works
• Summary
5. Objects of Desire
• Constructing an Application
• OWL Windows
• Managing Resources
• Commando OWL Programming
• Creating MDI Applications
• A Full OWL Application
• OWLWIZ Templates
• OWL Summary
6. Quick on the Draw: Programming Visually
• What VC++ Isn't
• Elements of VC++
• Features Offered by App Wizard
• MFC in Detail
• Managing MFC Documents
• Message Handling in MFC
• using Dialog Boxes
• The Bottom Line
• Three Special Views
• A Simple Example
• Is VC++ for You?
7. Biting the Bullet (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the SDK)
• Down with WM_PAINT!
• The Problem with the SDK
• New Age Programming
• Details, Details…
• Calling It Quits
• Fancy VWINL Tricks
• Breaking the Speed Limit
• A Practical Example
• Limits
• Is VWINL for You?
• How Does It Do That?
8. Things to Come

1. TWIN Calls
2. VWINL Call Reference
3. Annotated Bibliography
• General Windows Programming
• Commando Techniques

The book that made me understand Windows programming. Excellent reading.