.Net Framework Solutions: In Search of the Lost Win32 API

437 Pages·2002·4.3 MB·English

by  John Paul Mueller

.NET Framework Solutions—In Search of the
Lost Win32 API
John Paul Mueller

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This book is dedicated to my loving wife—
she is my first, best friend.

Acknowledgments
Thanks to my wife, Rebecca, for working with me to get this book completed during an
exceptionally difficult time. I really don’t know what I would have done without her help in
researching and compiling some of the information that appears in this book (especially the
glossary). She also did a fine job of proofreading my rough draft and page-proofing the final result.
Russ Mullen deserves thanks for his technical edit of this book. He greatly added to the accuracy and
depth of the material you see here. I really appreciated the time he devoted to checking my code for
accuracy—especially the last minute checks of test utilities. Russ also supplied some of the URLs
you see in the book and other helpful tips and hints.
Matt Wagner, my agent, deserves credit for helping me get the contract in the first place and taking
care of all the details that most authors don’t really consider. I always appreciate his help. It’s good
to know that someone wants to help.
Finally, I would like to thank Denise Santoro Lincoln, Kylie Johnston, Judy Flynn, Dan Mummert,
Kevin Ly, Lynnzee Elze, William Rodarmor, and the rest of the production staff at Sybex for their
assistance in bringing this book to print. It’s always nice to work with such a great group of
professionals.

About the Author
John Mueller is a freelance author and technical editor. He has writing in his blood, having produced
55 books and over 200 articles to date. The topics range from networking to artificial intelligence
and from database management to heads-down programming. Some of his current books include a
C# developer guide, a small business and home office networking guide, and several Windows XP
user guides. His technical editing skills have helped over 29 authors refine the content of their
manuscripts. John has provided technical editing services to both Data Based Advisor and Coast
Compute magazines. He’s also contributed articles to magazines like SQL Server Professional,
Visual C++ Developer, and Visual Basic Developer. He’s currently the editor of the .NET electronic
newsletter for Pinnacle Publishing.
When John isn’t working at the computer, you can find him in his workshop. He’s an avid
woodworker and candle maker. On any given afternoon, you can find him working at a lathe or
putting the finishing touches on a bookcase. One of his newest craft projects is glycerin soap making,
which comes in handy for gift baskets. You can reach John on the Internet at [email protected].
John is also setting up a Web site at http://www.mwt.net/~jmueller/. Feel free to look and make
suggestions on how he can improve it. One of his current projects is creating book FAQ sheets that
should help you find the book information you need much faster.
Table of Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................1
Overview..................................................................................................................................................1
Hunting for Treasure...................................................................................................................1
Hidden Nuggets..........................................................................................................................1
Who Should Read This Book?.................................................................................................................2
Tools Required.........................................................................................................................................2
Conventions Used in This Book..............................................................................................................2
Icons.........................................................................................................................................................3
Part I: An Overview of the Win32 API.............................................................................................................5
Chapter 1: Overcoming Holes in the .NET Framework.................................................................................6
Overview..................................................................................................................................................6
Why Access the Win32 API?..................................................................................................................6
A Case of Missing Functionality................................................................................................7
Win32 Function Types................................................................................................................8
Win32 Access Requirements....................................................................................................11
Win32 Access for C# Developers..........................................................................................................14
Understanding the Effects of Unsafe Code...............................................................................14
Understanding the Effects of Pointers......................................................................................15
Advantages for the C# Developer.............................................................................................16
Win32 Access for Visual Basic Developers..........................................................................................16
Understanding Visual Basic Limitations..................................................................................17
Advantages for the Visual Basic Developer.............................................................................18
Where Do You Go from Here?..............................................................................................................18
Chapter 2: Working with Win32 API Data....................................................................................................19
Overview................................................................................................................................................19
A Short View of Data............................................................................................................................19
Working with Variables.........................................................................................................................24
Converting Variables to C# Types............................................................................................25
Converting Variables to Visual Basic Types............................................................................25
Special Rules for COM.............................................................................................................26
Working with Data Structures...............................................................................................................28
Working with Pointers...........................................................................................................................32
Working with Enumerations..................................................................................................................32
Importing Resources..............................................................................................................................33
Understanding .NET Framework Functionality.......................................................................33
Using the IDE Features.............................................................................................................34
Working with the Win32 API...................................................................................................35
Where Do You Go from Here?..............................................................................................................36
Chapter 3: Accessing the Win32 API..............................................................................................................37
Overview................................................................................................................................................37
An Overview of the DLLs.....................................................................................................................37
Types of Win32 Access.........................................................................................................................38
Direct DLL Access...................................................................................................................39
C LIB Access............................................................................................................................40
A Direct DLL Access Example.............................................................................................................42
A C LIB Wrappers Access Example.....................................................................................................43
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Table of Contents
Chapter 3: Accessing the Win32 API
A C LIB Substitute Functions Example................................................................................................49
Interpreting Error and Result Values.....................................................................................................51
Helpful Win32 Programming Tools......................................................................................................52
Dependency Walker..................................................................................................................53
Error Lookup.............................................................................................................................59
Spy++........................................................................................................................................60
Where Do You Go from Here?..............................................................................................................64
Chapter 4: Processing Windows Messages.....................................................................................................65
Overview................................................................................................................................................65
Understanding the Windows Message Types........................................................................................65
Windows Message Handlers Found in the .NET Framework...............................................................68
An Overview of Windows Message Functions.....................................................................................70
SendMessage()..........................................................................................................................70
PostMessage(), PostThreadMessage, and PostQuitMessage().................................................72
SendNotifyMessage()...............................................................................................................77
SendMessageCallback()............................................................................................................78
GetMessage() and PeekMessage()............................................................................................78
RegisterWindowMessage().......................................................................................................79
Creating a Windows Message Handler Example...................................................................................79
Creating the Event....................................................................................................................79
Creating the Windows Message Loop Override.......................................................................80
Creating the Event Handler.......................................................................................................81
Demonstrating the Windows Message Handler........................................................................82
Developing for Thread Safety...................................................................................................83
Where Do You Go from Here?..............................................................................................................84
Chapter 5: Using Callback Functions.............................................................................................................85
Overview................................................................................................................................................85
What Is a Callback Function?................................................................................................................85
Using Callback Functions......................................................................................................................86
An Overview of Callback Function Prototypes........................................................................86
Implementing a Callback from the Managed Environment......................................................87
Implementing a Callback from a Wrapper DLL.......................................................................91
Enumerating Calendar Information Example........................................................................................95
Creating the Macro Wrapper DLL............................................................................................96
Creating the EnumCalendarInfoEx() Function Code...............................................................98
Demonstrating the Calendar Enumeration................................................................................99
Where Do You Go from Here?............................................................................................................101
Part II: Fixing Holes in Standard Applications...........................................................................................102
Chapter 6: Gaining Support for the Console Application..........................................................................103
Overview..............................................................................................................................................103
What Does the .NET Framework Provide?.........................................................................................103
Clearing the Screen Example...............................................................................................................104
Getting Console Information Examples...............................................................................................107
Working with Code Pages......................................................................................................107
Gaining Access to Console Mode Information.......................................................................109
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Table of Contents
Chapter 6: Gaining Support for the Console Application
Working with Processes..........................................................................................................113
Changing the Environment Examples.................................................................................................114
Accessing the Environmental Strings.....................................................................................115
Using Cursors and Fonts.........................................................................................................118
Determining the Console Window Title.................................................................................122
Manipulating the Console Screen Buffer................................................................................123
Where Do You Go from Here?............................................................................................................126
Chapter 7: Accessing the Hardware Directly...............................................................................................128
Overview..............................................................................................................................................128
When is Direct Access Required?........................................................................................................128
Serial Port Access Examples...............................................................................................................130
Creating a Serial Stream.........................................................................................................130
Determining the Port Status....................................................................................................136
Parallel Port Access Examples.............................................................................................................143
Creating the Wrapper DLL.....................................................................................................144
Viewing the First Level of Printer Information......................................................................146
Viewing the Second Level of Printer Information..................................................................148
Where Do You Go from Here?............................................................................................................152
Chapter 8: Overcoming Security Issues.......................................................................................................154
Overview..............................................................................................................................................154
An Overview of Windows Security.....................................................................................................154
A Detailed View of the Windows Security API.....................................................................155
An Overview of the Functions................................................................................................161
Using the Access Control Editor..........................................................................................................165
Using the Security Configuration Editor.............................................................................................167
Understanding How .NET Role−Based Security Differs....................................................................169
Looking Up an Account SID Example................................................................................................172
Using the GetFileSecurity() Function Example...................................................................................175
Working with ACEs Example.............................................................................................................178
Where Do You Go from Here?............................................................................................................183
Part III: Fixing Advanced Win32 API Problems.........................................................................................185
Chapter 9: Accessing Windows XP Special Features..................................................................................186
Overview..............................................................................................................................................186
What’s New in Windows XP?.............................................................................................................186
Common Features...................................................................................................................187
Professional Edition Exclusive Features.................................................................................188
Determining the Operating System Version Example.........................................................................189
Working with Theme Support Example..............................................................................................195
Balloon Help Example.........................................................................................................................202
Using NUnit for Automated Testing....................................................................................................207
Where Do You Go from Here?............................................................................................................210
Chapter 10: Using Operating System Special Functions............................................................................211
Overview..............................................................................................................................................211
Accessing Status and Other Information.............................................................................................211
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Table of Contents
Chapter 10: Using Operating System Special Functions
Learning How to Avoid Version Compatibility Problems.....................................................213
Determining System Power Status Example..........................................................................215
Creating an Application Shortcut Example.........................................................................................219
Shutting the System Down Remotely Example...................................................................................222
Obtaining Device Capabilities Example..............................................................................................225
File Compression.................................................................................................................................227
Using PC−Lint for C++ Development.................................................................................................228
Where Do You Go from Here?............................................................................................................230
Chapter 11: Accessing the Media Player......................................................................................................232
Overview..............................................................................................................................................232
A Quick Overview of the Media Player..............................................................................................232
Windows Media Player General Operation............................................................................233
Internet Content......................................................................................................................234
Using the Media Library.........................................................................................................235
Displaying a Configuration Dialog Example.......................................................................................236
Playing Sound Files Example..............................................................................................................240
Determining Device Capabilities............................................................................................241
Opening a File.........................................................................................................................244
Playing a File..........................................................................................................................251
Pausing and Stopping a File....................................................................................................253
Required Application Cleanup................................................................................................254
Using IconForge...................................................................................................................................254
Where Do You Go from Here?............................................................................................................257
Chapter 12: Working with Microsoft Management Console.....................................................................258
Overview..............................................................................................................................................258
Using GUIDGen..................................................................................................................................258
The Case for an MMC Snap−In...........................................................................................................260
Creating a Wrapper DLL.....................................................................................................................262
Creating an Interface...............................................................................................................263
Writing the MMC Wrapper DLL............................................................................................266
Developing the MMC Snap−In Example............................................................................................277
Developing an About Dialog..................................................................................................277
Working with IDataObject......................................................................................................279
Creating IComponent and IComponentData..........................................................................282
Testing the Snap−In within MMC..........................................................................................284
Where Do You Go from Here?............................................................................................................286
Part IV: Working with DirectX.....................................................................................................................288
Chapter 13: Creating DirectX Structures and Data Elements...................................................................289
Overview..............................................................................................................................................289
Using the DXDIAG Utility..................................................................................................................289
Learning about DirectX Compatibility...................................................................................290
Viewing the Drivers................................................................................................................292
Working with the DirectX Structures..................................................................................................294
An Overview of the Data Structures.......................................................................................294
Structure Conversion Essentials.............................................................................................297
iv