Windows API

The Windows API, informally WinAPI, is the foundational <a href="/facts/API/GMlN4vUr">application programming interface (API)</a> that allows a <a href="/facts/Computer_program/e38jH9N9">computer program</a> to access the features of the <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows/bwhAhuSL">Microsoft Windows</a> <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating system</a> in which the program is running. Programs can access API functionality via <a href="/facts/Shared_library/xRzL3P7q">shared-library</a> technologies or via <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows_library_files/RwUj8tdg">system-file</a> access.[disputed – discuss]
Each major version of the Windows API has a distinct name that identifies a compatibility aspect of that version. For example, Win32 is the major version of Windows API that runs on 32-bit systems. The name, Windows API, collectively refers to all versions of this capability of Windows.
Microsoft provides developer support via a <a href="/facts/Software_development_kit/2Hkk6Hbs">software development kit</a>, <a href="/facts/Microsoft_Windows_SDK/8otR4u2w">Microsoft Windows SDK</a>, which includes documentation and tools for building software based on the Windows API.

Windows API open-in-new

Windows API