DeleteDC

DeleteDC is a Windows API function in the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) used to delete a device context (DC) that was created by the application. The function signature is BOOL DeleteDC(HDC hdc). It frees the resources associated with the specified DC and invalidates the handle.

Usage and behavior:

DeleteDC should be used to delete DCs created by CreateDC, CreateCompatibleDC, or other functions that allocate memory DCs. It should not be used to release DCs obtained from GetDC or GetWindowDC; in those cases, ReleaseDC should be used. Before deleting a DC, any GDI objects that are currently selected into the DC should be deselected (usually by restoring the previous object with SelectObject). Any GDI objects created for that DC should be deleted separately with DeleteObject if they are no longer needed. Deleting the DC does not automatically delete GDI objects that were selected into it; those objects must be managed independently.

Return value:

If the function succeeds, a nonzero value is returned. If it fails, zero is returned. For extended error information, call GetLastError.

Notes:

DeleteDC releases system resources associated with the DC. After deletion, the HDC handle becomes invalid for further use. It is common to delete a memory DC created via CreateCompatibleDC after restoring any previously selected objects and deleting any GDI objects that were created for it.

See also:

CreateDC, CreateCompatibleDC, DeleteObject, ReleaseDC, SelectObject, GetDC, GetLastError.