C# Signature:

/// <summary>
///        Creates a memory device context (DC) compatible with the specified device.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="hdc">A handle to an existing DC. If this handle is NULL,
///        the function creates a memory DC compatible with the application's current screen.</param>
/// <returns>
///        If the function succeeds, the return value is the handle to a memory DC.
///        If the function fails, the return value is <see cref="System.IntPtr.Zero"/>.
/// </returns>
[DllImport("gdi32.dll", EntryPoint = "CreateCompatibleDC", SetLastError=true)]
static extern IntPtr CreateCompatibleDC([In] IntPtr hdc);

VB.NET Signature:

<DllImport("gdi32.dll", SetLastError:=True)> _
Private Shared Function CreateCompatibleDC(ByVal hRefDC As IntPtr) As IntPtr
End Function

VB Signature:

Private Declare Function CreateCompatibleDC Lib "gdi32.dll" (hdc As IntPtr) As IntPtr

Parameters:

hdc Handle to an existing DC. If this handle is NULL, the function creates a memory DC compatible with the application's current screen.

Return Values:

If the function succeeds, the return value is the handle to a memory DC. If the function fails, the return value is NULL.

User-Defined Types:

None.

Notes:

None.

Tips & Tricks:

If you pass NULL, or zero, to this function you'll get the screen device context.

Sample Code:

Please see BitBlt

Alternative Managed API:

Do you know one? Please contribute it!