lpszKey

lpszKey is a common identifier used in Windows programming, particularly within the Win32 API. The prefix "lpsz" is a convention for a pointer to a null-terminated string that is also long. "Long" in this context typically refers to the character set being used, specifically Unicode or the wider character set. The "Key" portion of the name suggests its purpose is to identify a specific item or entry, often within a data structure like the Windows Registry or a configuration file.

When encountering a parameter named lpszKey in a Windows API function, it generally means the function expects a pointer to a string that will serve as a key for lookup or identification. This key could represent a registry key path, a section name in an INI file, or a unique identifier for an object. The null-terminated nature of the string is crucial, as it signals the end of the string data to the C/C++ programming language functions that process it. Understanding this naming convention helps developers quickly grasp the expected data type and purpose of a parameter.