GetStdHandleDWORD

GetStdHandleDWORD is not a standard Windows API function. The Windows API includes a function named GetStdHandle, which takes a DWORD parameter and returns a HANDLE. If you see GetStdHandleDWORD in code or documentation, it is usually a misnomer or a wrapper around GetStdHandle, or a user-defined alias. The correct invocation uses the constants STD_INPUT_HANDLE, STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE, and STD_ERROR_HANDLE, defined as DWORD values (-10, -11, -12). These are used to obtain the standard input, output, or error handles associated with the current process.

The function declaration (in kernel32.dll) is: HANDLE GetStdHandle(DWORD nStdHandle). On success, it returns a valid handle to the requested standard device. On failure, it returns INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE, and extended error information can be obtained with GetLastError. If the process has no console, GetStdHandle may return NULL for STD_INPUT_HANDLE or STD_OUTPUT_HANDLE or STD_ERROR_HANDLE.

Usage of GetStdHandle involves retrieving a handle and performing I/O with Windows API functions such as ReadFile or WriteFile, or other APIs that operate on handles. It is common in console applications to read from standard input or write to standard output and error, as well as in programs that redirect I/O to files or pipes.

Limitations and behavior notes: GetStdHandle does not create or attach consoles; it only returns existing handles. In GUI applications or services without a console, the standard handles may be absent or redirected, in which case the function may return NULL or INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE and GetLastError can provide details.