## Rust for Windows

The [windows](https://crates.io/crates/windows) and [windows-sys](https://crates.io/crates/windows-sys) crates let you call any Windows API past, present, and future using code generated on the fly directly from the [metadata describing the API](https://github.com/microsoft/windows-rs/tree/master/crates/libs/metadata/default) and right into your Rust package where you can call them as if they were just another Rust module. The Rust language projection follows in the tradition established by [C++/WinRT](https://github.com/microsoft/cppwinrt) of building language projections for Windows using standard languages and compilers, providing a natural and idiomatic way for Rust developers to call Windows APIs.

* [Getting started](https://kennykerr.ca/rust-getting-started/)
* [Samples](https://github.com/microsoft/windows-rs/tree/0.48.0/crates/samples)
* [Releases](https://github.com/microsoft/windows-rs/releases)

Start by adding the following to your Cargo.toml file:

```toml
[dependencies.windows]
version = "0.48"
features = [
    "Data_Xml_Dom",
    "Win32_Foundation",
    "Win32_Security",
    "Win32_System_Threading",
    "Win32_UI_WindowsAndMessaging",
]
```

Make use of any Windows APIs as needed:

```rust,no_run
use windows::{
    core::*, Data::Xml::Dom::*, Win32::Foundation::*, Win32::System::Threading::*,
    Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::*,
};

fn main() -> Result<()> {
    let doc = XmlDocument::new()?;
    doc.LoadXml(h!("<html>hello world</html>"))?;

    let root = doc.DocumentElement()?;
    assert!(root.NodeName()? == "html");
    assert!(root.InnerText()? == "hello world");

    unsafe {
        let event = CreateEventW(None, true, false, None)?;
        SetEvent(event).ok()?;
        WaitForSingleObject(event, 0);
        CloseHandle(event).ok()?;

        MessageBoxA(None, s!("Ansi"), s!("Caption"), MB_OK);
        MessageBoxW(None, w!("Wide"), w!("Caption"), MB_OK);
    }

    Ok(())
}
```

## windows-sys

The `windows-sys` crate is a zero-overhead fallback for the most demanding situations and primarily where the absolute best compile time is essential. It only includes function declarations (externs), structs, and constants. No convenience helpers, traits, or wrappers are provided.

Start by adding the following to your Cargo.toml file:

```toml
[dependencies.windows-sys]
version = "0.48"
features = [
    "Win32_Foundation",
    "Win32_Security",
    "Win32_System_Threading",
    "Win32_UI_WindowsAndMessaging",
]
```

Make use of any Windows APIs as needed:

```rust,no_run
use windows_sys::{
    core::*, Win32::Foundation::*, Win32::System::Threading::*, Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::*,
};

fn main() {
    unsafe {
        let event = CreateEventW(std::ptr::null(), 1, 0, std::ptr::null());
        SetEvent(event);
        WaitForSingleObject(event, 0);
        CloseHandle(event);

        MessageBoxA(0, s!("Ansi"), s!("Caption"), MB_OK);
        MessageBoxW(0, w!("Wide"), w!("Caption"), MB_OK);
    }
}
```

## windows-bindgen

Even with a [choice between the windows and windows-sys crates](https://kennykerr.ca/rust-getting-started/windows-or-windows-sys.html), some developers may prefer to use completely standalone bindings. The [windows-bindgen](https://crates.io/crates/windows-bindgen) crate lets you generate entirely standalone bindings for Windows APIs with a single function call that you can run from a test to automate the generation of bindings. This can help to reduce your dependencies while continuing to provide a sustainable path forward for any future API requirements you might have, or just to refresh your bindings from time to time to pick up any bug fixes automatically from Microsoft.

Start by adding the following to your Cargo.toml file:

```toml
[dependencies.windows-targets]
version = "0.48"

[dev-dependencies.windows-bindgen]
version = "0.48"
```

The `windows-bindgen` crate is only needed for generating bindings and is thus a dev dependency only. The [windows-targets](https://crates.io/crates/windows-targets) crate is a dependency shared by the `windows` and `windows-sys` crates and only contains import libs for supported targets. This will ensure that you can link against any Windows API functions you may need. 

Write a test to generate bindings as follows:

```rust,no_run
#[test]
fn gen_bindings() {
    let apis = [
        "Windows.Win32.System.SystemInformation.GetTickCount",
    ];

    let bindings = windows_bindgen::standalone(&apis);
    std::fs::write("src/bindings.rs", bindings).unwrap();
}
```

Make use of any Windows APIs as needed.

```rust,no_run,ignore
mod bindings;
use bindings::*;

fn main() {
    unsafe {
        println!("{}", GetTickCount());
    }
}
```