How to use .dll files from WinAPI Index?

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VS2010

My goal is to import any .dll file to use any Windows API.

There is Windows API Index where i choose any .dll to wrap to use.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff818516(v=vs.85).aspx[^]

I chose the next .dll, how can i wrap it to use? I can't because there is no information for such a goal, in other words Windows API reference is not made for such a goal.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms535564(v=vs.85).aspx[^]

There is .NET Framework Class Library, it shows everything i need to know to use them in my C# program. I need the same thing about WinAPI.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg145045(v=vs.100).aspx[^]

The next one is what i need for, but it an exception for certain classes.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms534039%28VS.85%29.aspx[^]

I have the working code for Outline, but i got it from the last link where are just 600 functions, but i wanna do the same thing with any .dll i choose from Windows API Index.

I think Windows API Index reference is specialized for C++, not for C#.

Posted 17-Dec-14 2:11am

Ziya1995

Updated 17-Dec-14 2:49am

v2

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MasterCodeon 17-Dec-14 15:59pm

i have added a solution check it out

3 solutions

Solution 2

ok so the first thing you need to do in order to use a windows api function(this is for the DLL "User32.dll") is to add a reference to the System.Runtime.InteropServices
by doing this:

C#

using System.Runtime.InteropServices;

then you import the DLL like this(note you do this in the space right before the constructor for a winform app):

C#

[DllImport("user32.dll")]

here is an example of how to import the LockWorkStation method from the newly imported "User32.dll" (Note: you should add the proceeding line of code right under the DLL import statement):

C#

public static extern void LockWorkStation();

now this method doesn't take any arguments so you call it like this:

C#

LockWorkStation();

this will lock your computer so i would put this in a button event method or something

this is a very simple use of the windows api and a very easy to do operation.
C# can access the windows api its just a little harder than C++.
i hope this gets you started and helps,
MasterCodeon

Posted 17-Dec-14 7:51am

MasterCodeon

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Richard MacCutchan · Accepted Answer · 2014-12-17T06:19:00

This is exactly the same question that you have already posted twice, and the answer is still the same. You use P/Invoke to access Windows API functions from .NET applications; there is no other documentation. Choose the function you wish to use and look it up on the P/Invoke website. If there is no reference to it then you will need to work out the calling sequence for yourself.

Ziya1995 · Accepted Answer · 2014-12-18T03:31:00

Solved!

Question: How to use .dll files?
1. Go to WinAPI Index.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff818516(v=vs.85).aspx[^]
2. Choose any .dll file.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms646294(v=vs.85).aspx[^]
3. Use Platform Invoke (C#, Windows Forms, .Net Framework 4.0, Visual Studio 2010).

C#

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Data;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Drawing.Drawing2D;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Reflection;

namespace _123
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form
    {
        public Form1()
        {
            InitializeComponent();

            Method();
        }

        [DllImportAttribute(@"User32.dll")]
        static extern void GetFocus();

        private void Method()
        {
            GetFocus();
        }
    }
}

Question: How to use GDI+ Flat API in the same way?
Answer: It is impossible to use any of GDI+ Flat APIs in the same way.
1. For example, choose a simple GDI+ API:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms535564(v=vs.85).aspx[^]
2. You can not use it!
Question: Why?
Answer: Because of:

Quote:
Microsoft Product Support Services will not provide support for code that calls the flat API directly

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms534039%28VS.85%29.aspx[^]

Question: Is it possible to use any API of Windows API from Windows API Index directly?
Answer: It is impossible to use all of them directly, you only can use .dll files directly. As a result, you should use C++ to make .dll files for those APIs to use them in C# by using Platform Invoke.

How to use .dll files from WinAPI Index?

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