GetDC

Overview

Group

Quick Info

Windows NT
Yes
Win95
Yes
Win32s
Yes
Import Library
user32.lib
Header File
winuser.h
Unicode
No
Platform Notes
None

The GetDC function retrieves a handle of a display device context (DC) for the client area of the specified window. The display device context can be used in subsequent GDI functions to draw in the client area of the window.

This 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.

HDC GetDC(

HWND hWnd	// handle of window
);

Parameters
hWnd

Identifies the window whose device context is to be retrieved.

Return Values
If the function succeeds, the return value identifies the device context for the given window's client area.

If the function fails, the return value is NULL.

Remarks
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.