C++ tutorials for Windows

• Preamble

• Win32 API

• Visual C++ / MFC

• OpenGL

• DirectX

Preamble

The most complete Win32 API Reference is Microsoft´s Platform SDK which is available on-line.

It is also possible to obtain Microsoft Win32 API documentation in HLP format: The Microsoft Win32 Programmer's Reference. It is not as updated as the on-line version. The document is available in the following links.

NOTE: Although the file names are different the document is the same. The most updated version is the file b5ms.zip.

Jacob Navia provides additional documentation to The Microsoft Win32 Programmer's Reference in DOC file format (win32apidoc.exe 2.35 MB).

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Win32 API

(For tutorials in Spanish and Portuguese visit the Spanish version of this site)

Most of the following tutorials are rated. A low value does not imply that those tutorials are not useful.
In each of the tutorials I learnt diverse aspects of programming. They go into depth in different topics and therefore complement each other.
The classification is merely based on their contents and their comprehension.

In the Frequently Asked Questions section it is possible to find additional information complementaty to these tutorials.

Reliable Software: Good tutorial to get into Windows programming, although a bit difficult to digest for a beginner. It covers the basic boilerplate needed for any Windows application, explains the messaging architecture central to Window programs, and continues on to explain how to use controls, GDI objects, and more.

Sunlight: Very nice tutorial for beginners. Introduces to Unicode notation. It is subdivided in two sections. A general section where the fundamentals are explained and illustrated with a program to load and show bitmaps. The second section is an introduction to DirectX.

theForger: Very instructive tutorial. Includes basic Windows application, dialogues, GDI, controls, file i/o, bitmaps, MDI, toolbars and statusbar.

Don Hobson: Offers a very complete tutorial. I'd suggest this as a starting point.

NOTE: Unfortunately this link is broken. However, I keep a copy of the tutorial in HTML format. Anyone interested can download here the file in ZIP format plus the source code of the examples: Don_Hobson.zip (110 Kb)

Prof. Devi: Very good tutorial on the technical aspect of Windows API. It includes a short section about Windows GUI functions.

Foosyerdoos: This website is devoted to win32 C++ programming with a variety of different compilers including Borland BCC5.5 command line, Mingw (DevC++ IDE) and MSVC++. This site has example code for beginning level programmers with source code downloads available.

Cpp-programming: Covers from basic Windows creation to menus, text output and fonts.

Colin Peters: One of the few tutorials covering resource files. It is still under construction.

Andreas Magnusson: Yet another tutorial covering the fundamentals of Windows programming.

Flipcode: This tutorial gives a brief introduction to a Windows application. It also shows how to create Menus and Dialog Boxes.

Steven Haunts: Offers a text file for beginners. It is very brief overview, filled with typos, but it might fill in the gaps others leave.

Chris Becke: Has some basic tutorials, but also several short articles on more complex topics.

Wayne: Short tutorial that explains the basic skeleton of a Windows application.

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Visual C++ / MFC oriented

Dr. Richard R. Eckert: For a more academic approach, try these class notes. Just ignore the Developer Studio specific material.

Prof. Devi: This tutorial is meant to introduce laymen to MFC programming. 

Digitaldawn: If this link is not active there exists a copy.

DevCentral: Diverse tutorials are available.

Huhtala: Part of the advanced tutorial includes Windows programming.

Borland: Help file.

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OpenGL

Franco: Large tutorial on OpenGL programming for Win32.

SGI: Another OpenGL tutorial for Win32.

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DirectX

Sunlight: The second part of this tutorial covers DirectX.

Flaming Speed:

DirectX with Dev-C++: This brief article shows how to use DirectX with Dev-C++ compiler.

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Copyright © 2000 José M. Padrón. All rights reserved.

Last update: 29-05-2001.