Where can I download SDK or WIN API for win XP. How can i use it in C or java?

Please link me the exact path where can I download SDK. Then How i can use it in C/CPP/JAVA. What is the difference between WIN API and SDK. I dont know any thing about the both. Are the both the same. Please explain in detail.

Where can I download SDK or WIN API for win XP. How can i use it in C or java?
API stands for Application Program Interface.


Windows API refers to documentation on the programming of various Windows functions.


Technically, a Windows API package just includes the help files for programming Windows.





SDK stands for Software Development Kit.


An SDK (for anything) means a package of documentation and other files for programming something.


The Windows SDK is a package which includes documentation, header files, import libraries, and utilities for programming Windows.


(Microsoft refers to it as the Windows Platform SDK.) Unfortunately, it's a huge download!


It'll take quite awhile to finally download everything.





Sometimes, a Windows compiler will come with documentation (reference) on most of the Windows functions. If you only need the reference files (Windows .hlp files) on Windows functions, look for it on the Internet - perhaps someone knows where one can get the old WIN API .hlp files?


Otherwise, you'll need to download the huge Platform SDK from Microsoft. Just visit Microsoft's web site and under the 'downloads' section, look for the Windows R2 Platform SDK.