API vs .net

Hey all,

I have been writing a project in Vb .net 2005 and I need to access a 3rd party application. It's mostly basic stuff... for example pulling the background image off of the app or recognizing when a button pops up. I have been reading up on the subject and it seems that microsoft suggests using the .net framework over the windows API for various reasons.

It seems that all of the .net stuff does not work correctly or I am just implimenting it poorly. On the other hand, I am getting the same error (PINVOKE stack imbalance) for many of the API calls. My question is this, for what I am looking to do, which of the options would be better suited (api or .net) and furthermore... What would be a good reference?? Preferably a good book as opposed to constantly referencing msdn. Thanks in advance,

-- Joe

Generally speaking the only way to interact with the interface of applications outside of your own is through API calls.