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This function retrieves a handle to a display device context (DC) for the client area of the specified window. The display device context can be used in subsequent graphics display interface (GDI) functions to draw in the client area of the window.
HDC GetDC( HWND hWnd );
Parameters
- hWnd
- Handle to the window whose device context is to be retrieved.
If this value is NULL,
GetDCretrieves the device context for the entire screen.
Return Values
The handle the device context for the specified window's client area indicates success. NULL indicates failure.
To get extended error information, call GetLastError.
Remarks
The GetDCfunction retrieves a common, class, or private device context depending on the class style specified for the specified window. For common device contexts, GetDCassigns default attributes to the device context each time it is retrieved. For class and private device contexts, GetDCleaves the previously assigned attributes unchanged.
After painting with a common device context, the ReleaseDCfunction must be called to release the device context. Class and private device contexts do not have to be released. The number of device contexts is limited only by available memory.
Requirements
Runs on Versions Defined in Include Link to Windows CE OS 1.0 and later Winuser.h Coredll.lib, Winmgr.lib Note This API is part of the complete Windows CE OS package as provided by Microsoft. The functionality of a particular platform is determined by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and some devices may not support this API.
See Also
GetLastError, GetWindowDC, ReleaseDC