Combining Win32 API with OOP

[Sc0rp]

Hi, I'm currently reading a book about creating Windows based applications using API with C++.

And since it's API, it's mainly C, and less C++.
I'd like to build my applications using OOP, but without using MFC.

Where do I start?
Can you give me examples of basic classes used for Windows programming?


Thanks.

[CornedBee]

Well, you'd have to come up with a basic concept: Do you want to make wrappers around the API (like MFC does), or do you only want some functional object that hide more of the API (a little bit like VB does).

Whatever you do, remember that CALLBACK functions can't be class member functions unless they are static.

[parksie]

Welcome to the bandwagon Me and Kedaman are working on something similar This is what the new Windows headers look like (I'm regenerating them with templates):

namespace Win32 {
    // Constants
    const int WS_OVERLAPPED = 0x00000000L;
    const int WS_POPUP = 0x80000000L;
    const int WS_CHILD = 0x40000000L;
    const int WS_MINIMIZE = 0x20000000L;
    const int WS_VISIBLE = 0x10000000L;
    const int WS_DISABLED = 0x08000000L;
    const int WS_CLIPSIBLINGS = 0x04000000L;

    extern "C" long __stdcall SetWindowLongA(HWND hWnd, int nIndex, long dwNewLong);
    extern "C" long __stdcall SetWindowLongW(HWND hWnd, int nIndex, long dwNewLong);
    template<class chrtyp> inline long __stdcall SetWindowLong(HWND hWnd, int nIndex, long dwNewLong);
    inline long __stdcall SetWindowLong<char>(HWND hWnd, int nIndex, long dwNewLong)
        { return SetWindowLongA(hWnd, nIndex, dwNewLong); }
    inline long __stdcall SetWindowLong<wchar_t>(HWND hWnd, int nIndex, long dwNewLong)
        { return SetWindowLongW(hWnd, nIndex, dwNewLong); }

[CornedBee]

parksie: how about splitting it up into several namespaces, like
namespace Win32Window
{
CreateWindowA...
...
}
namespace Win32Thread
{
CreateThread...
...
}

You would need to come up with good seperations, but I think it wouldn't be bad.

[parksie]

Well this is only there to prevent it polluting the :: namespace. These functions won't be used by any programs, since they'd use the abstraction layer (ask Ked, not me, he's the one with the bright idea )

[CornedBee]

Well, if you'd ever need a bigger team, I'd work with you.

[Zaei]

As would I. I cant stand having some random #define changing my custom DLL DrawText Call into DrawTextA....and then it wonders why it cant find a function with the parameters I am passing.

Z.

[kedaman]

The idea is to use 1) Object Oriented Programming and 2) Generic Programming to build up layers for use in developing device independent applications.
Parksie is working on the mostly functional and parameterized namespace, which I will be building up several interfaces in a parameterized nested class hierarchy for use as "pseudo-polymorphism" in device independent programming.
All layers will be fully object oriented, so there will be no global functions nor handles floating around, typically you will be performing a bitblt like this:
TargetDC.Rect(10,10,50,50).Do( bitblt(srccopy) << SourceDC.Rect(10,10,50,50));
among other alternatives:
(TargetDC<<Myrect).Do<bitblt(srccopy) >(SourceDCrect);
The GDI object will provide access for the win32 environment with easy moves:
Window x=GDI.Window<caption>("My app");
x.minimize();
GDI.Window<top>().Destroy();
Window y=GDI.CreateWindow(wndclass,"my window",somepos);

[Zaei]

That is quite a project! I cant wait to see how everything turns out.

Z.

[kedaman]

Yeah, it's not going to be an overnight project, but rather slowly growing one
btw nice avatari

[Zaei]

Thanks =). I thought it could go in for a change.

Z.

[Sc0rp]

Hey, sorry for not replying; Just got back from a 3-day trip.

Anyway, I was looking for something more basic.
I'm just starting with C++ Windows programming, so I just want basic guidelines.
Primarily on the approach.

I have no idea where to start.

[kedaman]

my recommendation is Sams teach yourself C++ in 21 days
http://newdata.box.sk/bx/c/

[Sc0rp]

kedaman:

That's the book I used to learn C++.
What I would like are guidelines on how to apply the OOP techniques I learned there on Win32 programming.

[kedaman]

I'm not sure if there is such kind of things, win32api programming has been more or less functional with exception for MFC and GDI+ i guess but that's what I'm going to change in the nearest years

[Sc0rp]

OK, thanks for your time everybody.