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4/8/2010

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.

Syntax 

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 Value

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

Header winuser.h
Library coredll.lib, Winmgr.lib
Windows Embedded CE Windows CE 1.0 and later
Windows Mobile Windows Mobile Version 5.0 and later

See Also