How to recognize a WinAPI function?

Question

API

Hello.
Do not throw stones strongly, but the question does not get along in my head, and no thoughts come up on such a question
How do I find out the necessary winapi function.
Now I'm learning C ++, I want to try to learn winapi in parallel, but I don't know how to approach. I read books on winapi, everything is clear, but the author provides code where certain functions are used. Everything would be fine, I figured out that there are such functions. But if I need, for example, a function X that does Y, how can I find out something about this function.
Naturally, I do not know the name of the X function.
The standard answer would be - read MSDN.
OK.
But then again, what should I enter in the search box on MSDN? X which makes Y?
What if I need 200 of these functions?
X did Y the result of the work of X I transferred to Z and so on knurled.
Google all the time something like
- How to find out the local IP using WinAPI, how to create a window using WinAPI, how to use WinAPI .........., some kind of crutch.
I hope my question is clear, although I suspect that it is dumb.
In order not to create a separate topic, I will immediately ask the same thing, but related to Linux, so for the future.
Does Linux have something like MSDN?
Or is it possible to find out the api functions of Linux only from the source?
Without such an understanding, I am generally stuck in learning, and it is, to put it mildly, tight.

Answer 1

Generally council "to read MSDN" absolutely correct. But there is a caveat - you, of course, are unlikely to master the entire MSDN, so I would recommend taking a look not at all the API functions in alphabetical order, but at the areas where they are applied.
Here they are very well grouped, plus in the Examples section of each of them you will find links to articles and examples.
It is also worth recalling that API functions go hand in hand with structures, events, and macros.

Answer 2

https://www.google.com.ua/search?q=msdn+winapi
https://www.google.com.ua/search?q=msdn+winapi+get...
In Linux, we are looking for a library that deals with and do it man lib_namein the console
Or read the source code of the library
Naturally - you can also google
https://www.google.com.ua/search?q=linux+c%2B%2B+a...

Answer 3

>> Without such an understanding, I am generally stuck in learning, and it is, to put it mildly, tight.
Someone promised that it would be easy??? We all pupate here and do not complain. Get used to it))) Welcome to the profession.
Well, as for the functions, they themselves, of course, will not be found, but read the documentation in the appropriate section and achieve the result.
>> But again, what should I enter in the search box on MSDN? X which makes Y?
Usually yes. You just need to have a correct guess that Y is being made by X.
>> The standard answer would be - read MSDN
Well, you don't get upset at all at once. Usually such an answer means that you have crossed the line, because no one likes to solve the problem for you. Have the conscience not to ask to do something for you. Break the question into parts and ask one at a time. Specifically. What do you want, what have you already done, screenshots, etc. It is necessary that your work is visible, then the participants will be interested in helping you.
>> Now I'm learning C++
You don't expect that right now you will succeed in something))) Learning is a long and iterative process. Unless with experience he starts to go faster.
Well, in general, a good experience is usually a huge number of unsuccessful attempts. Get used to the fact that not everything works out the first time, even with experienced people, and learn to enjoy the process better, but strive for the result.
PS
I will advise from personal experience - get a paper / electronic notepad, it doesn’t matter. Write down what you learned in it and be sure to re-read it later !!!

Answer 4

While studying assembler, I constantly encountered a similar problem, but I solved it this way. I found a program (preferably made by small software) and reversed in search of the necessary api, and descended to the required level, which was very convenient if you didn’t want to mess with a thousand pointers and buffers when you just pass a dozen parameters and enjoy the result. I don’t know if this method is simpler or not, but it gives not only the name, but also the experience of using it. it is not always clear from msdn what to transfer.