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Advanced Windows, The Developer's Guide to the Win32 API by J Richter Recommended

ISBN: 1-55615-677-4       Publisher: Microsoft Press       Pages: 930pp+CD       Price: £41-27

Categories:   MS Windows

Reviewed by Blake Evans-Pritchard in C Vu 8-1 (Nov 1995)

The comprehensive nature of the book ensures that the readers can fairly easily find the information that they want. However, such excessive detail can lead to confusion at times, especially when the information given is not strictly relevant. Theory is needed to understand the programming examples, but sometimes too much is supplied.

The book is clearly laid out, with tables and diagrams supporting the text. Pp of source code are given as examples throughout the book and this helps the reader to understand what is being discussed. All code is written in C (as opposed to C++) and all programs form independent applications.

The composition of the book justifies the high price of £41.99. Firstly, the book covers a relatively new subject (32-bit Windows programming) and is something that only a few other authors have attempted. Also, a CD-ROM is enclosed with the book, which contains all source code. Finally, the book is very detailed and a good reference for anyone who is seriously interested in programming 32-bit Windows.

The main advantage of this book is that it covers something 'new', that many other books do not. However, the author assumes considerable experience with programming 16-bit Windows and so this is not a beginner's text. The source code is clear and illustrates the text well. My main criticism of the book is that, in places, the author seeks to give more detail than is necessary and this turns attention away from the important areas.