OS versions and API

[Dillinger4]

Hey i was just wondering if there are any major changes to the API from OS to OS. With mircosoft spitting out a new OS every 10 seconds, windows 98, windows ME, windows XP ect.... do they add anymore functionality to the API or are the major changes just a revamped OS Interface?

[jim mcnamara]

The Win 9X family (95, 98, me) and the NT family (3.x,4.x,2000 pro)
have different sets of api's, especially for security and for network activity -netapi32

The main stuff - shell32, user32, kernel32, & gdi32, are all pretty much the same. But not exactly. You should include something like this to test before you call and bomb:

Private Declare Function LoadLibrary Lib "kernel32" _
  Alias "LoadLibraryA" (ByVal lpLibFileName As String) As Long

Private Declare Function GetProcAddress Lib "kernel32" _
  (ByVal hModule As Long, ByVal lpProcName As String) As Long

Private Declare Function FreeLibrary Lib "kernel32" _
  (ByVal hLibModule As Long) As Long

Public Function IsAPIThere(ByVal strFunc as String, ByVal strDll as String) as Boolean
    Dim lHandle As Long
    Dim lAddr  As Long
    lAddr = False
    lHandle = LoadLibrary(strDll)
    If lHandle <> 0 Then
        lAddr = GetProcAddress(lHandle, strFunc)
        FreeLibrary lHandle
    End If
    
    IsAPIThere = (lAddr <> 0)

End Function

[Dillinger4]

Hummmmmm interesting. Thank you. So if, say i was using an API
call in a program i was developing i would want to use this function to see if the API is there?

[Megatron]

I woudln't suggested you hard code that into your program, rather, you should test it on each OS (it shoulsn't be too hard).

Only test the API's you are skeptical about (e.g: security or net), because most of the others will probably work fine.

[Dillinger4]

Ok thanks....... Dont worry i voted for you

[Megatron]

I'm not overley concerned with that poll. If his attempt was to target me, then it looks like it backfired. Thanks anyways.