Object-Oriented Programming for Windows 95 and NT
A beginner to intermediate level guide to object-oriented programming for the Windows 95 and NT platforms.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Object-Oriented Programming for Windows 95 and NT
Chapter 3: The Windows Environment
Overview
The Microsoft Windows environment has been around for many years but it is only in the last few years that its use has become widespread. Windows was bundled with PCs for years before people really started to take any notice of it; the environment was slow and prone to failure, and there were few applications written to take advantage of it. However, with the arrival of Windows 3.1 and, later, Windows NT and Windows 95, Windows has become the dominant environment for PC users. Windows is now bundled with virtually every PC and Windows 98 is likely to prove equally popular.
This chapter outlines the main features of Windows, from a programming perspective, and describes the way in which Windows works.
Windows for the User
From the user's point of view, Windows has the potential to offer some very desirable benefits:
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More than one application can be run at a time, and the user can suspend and restart any application at will. One application may still continue processing while the user is working with another one.
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All applications have a common appearance and behave in a similar way. If you know how to save a file in one Windows application you will almost certainly know how to do so in another application.
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The Windows clipboard allows you to move text, numbers, and pictures from one application to another, using the same set of commands and shortcuts, no matter what applications you are using.
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Windows takes care of all communication...
Copyright Stephen Morris 1999 under license agreement with Books24x7
