Microsoft C runtime library (CRT) reference

The Microsoft runtime library provides routines for programming the Microsoft Windows operating system. These routines automate many common programming tasks that aren't provided by the C and C++ languages.

Sample programs are included in the individual reference articles for most routines in the library.

In this section

Universal C runtime routines by category
Provides links to the runtime library by category.

Global variables and standard types
Provides links to the global variables and standard types provided by the runtime library.

Global constants
Provides links to the global constants defined by the runtime library.

Global state
Describes the scope of global state in the C runtime library.

Generic-text mappings
Provides links to the generic-text mappings defined in Tchar.h.

Alphabetical function reference
Provides links to the C runtime library functions, organized alphabetically.

Function family overviews
Provides links to the C runtime library functions, organized by function family.

Language and country/region strings
Describes how to use the setlocale function to set the language and Country/Region strings.

C runtime (CRT) and C++ Standard Library (STL) .lib files
List of .lib files that make up the C runtime libraries and their associated compiler options and preprocessor directives.

Related sections

Debug routines
Provides links to the debug versions of the runtime library routines.

Runtime error checking
Provides links to functions that support runtime error checks.

DLLs and Visual C++ runtime library behavior
Discusses the entry point and startup code used for a DLL.

Debugging
Provides links to using the Visual Studio debugger to correct logic errors in your application or stored procedures.