What is the Windows SDK?
The Windows SDK (Software Development Kit) is a set of resources (software and manuals) that are available to the C programmer to construct Windows programs with. The Windows SDK includes all the Windows API function libraries, thus enabling you to link your C programs with the Windows API functions. It also includes a handful of useful utilities such as the Image Editor (for creating and modifying icons, bitmaps, and so on). It includes the executable file WINSTUB.EXE, which is linked with each Windows program to notify users that the executable is a Windows program. For instance, if you have ever tried running a Windows program from the DOS prompt, you probably have seen one of the following messages (or something similar):
This program requires Microsoft Windows.
This program must be run under Microsoft Windows.
The WINSTUB.EXE program automatically prints this message every time someone tries to run a Windows executable from a non-Windows environment. Note that the WINSTUB.EXE program is not separated, but rather is embedded into your Windows executable. It is transparent to you and the users of your programs.
The Windows SDK also includes extensive printed documentation of each Windows API function call. This documentation comes in handy when you are writing Windows programs. The Programmer’s Reference Guide details how to use each Windows API function.
With all the utilities, libraries, and documentation included with the Windows SDK, you might be inclined to think that the Windows SDK is required in order to produce Windows-based programs. See the next FAQ for a response.
Cross Reference:
XXI.6: Why is windows.h important?
XXI.8: Do you need Microsoft’s Windows SDK to write Windows programs
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