GetDC
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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, GetDC retrieves 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 GetDC function retrieves a common, class, or private device context depending on the class style specified for the specified window.
For common device contexts, GetDC assigns default attributes to the device context each time it is retrieved.
For class and private device contexts, GetDC leaves the previously assigned attributes unchanged.
After painting with a common device context, the ReleaseDC function 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 |