I created and maintain an extensive errata list of program bugs, text typos, and errors for Charles Petzold's bible to Windows programming: Programming Windows, 5th Edition.  I took the time to explain the problems in as much detail as I felt needed so that the reader would understand why it is a problem, and also why the solution works.  I have even explained topics in further detailed that I felt were left too vague, and leaving the reader wanting for more.

The creation of the page was originally the result of about 50 successive e-mails I sent to Charles Petzold as I read the book and found errors.  I should note that the vast majority of the errata are minor bugs, and that anyone who is paying proper attention while reading the book will find them, as well.  However, if you do not learn in the same method that I do, then you are unlikely to catch such errors.  My learning method results from a strong desire to understand what is going on 'under the hood'.  To know something 'just works' is not good enough for me - in fact, this type of thinking gives me a headache.  There is a world of difference between knowing that something is the way it is and knowing why it is that way.  It is the difference of either merely knowing of it, or understanding it.  When you truly understand something, you need not worry about your fallible memory regurgitating improper information.  It is the reason why I have never had to study for a math test.  I took the time to understand the concepts; I did not merely memorize steps to a specific solution.  In any case, I am digressing.  After Petzold got annoyed with all of my emails, he stated that if I were to catalogue the errors on an errata web page, he would link to it from his own.  I agreed.  Because Charles Petzold already created an incomplete errata page for his book, and I continually added onto his errata, I christened my errata list:

"Programming Windows, Fifth Edition - Errata Addendum"

The majority of the errata credit goes to John Kopplin and me.  However, there are quite a few errata from several other kind people who have taken the time to e-mail me additional bugs that they have found.  If you find more, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Also, please do not regard such an errata list as a detriment to how well the book is written.  It is a very detailed, and technical book.  As with any programming book, there are bound to be errors.  My only regret is that I did not purchase it sooner.

Programming Windows, 5th Edition
by Charles Petzold

About the Author:  I am Jason Doucette of Xona Games, an award-winning, team-of-two indie studio concentrating on "intense retro" games (Xbox LIVE, PSN, WiiWare, and Windows PC). We've released Decimation X (XBLIG), a 1-4 player shmup, #1 best selling and #1 top rated XBLIG in Japan. We're working on Duality ZF (XBLA), a groundbreaking 1-4 player shmup, which placed #1 in Canada and #5 in the world in Microsoft's Dream Build Play 2010 contest. It features dual play, the ability to control two fighters at once, and a massively upgradable 32-stage spread/laser weapon system. 4 player dual play allows up to eight fighters at once.  Many of these features are never before seen shoot'em up firsts. Both games feature beautiful electronic Imphenzia soundtracks.  Help spread the word with our official dualityzf.com and decimationx.com websites.

P.S. Watch out for Score Rush (official website scorerush.com), another 1-4 player shmup. Coming soon to XBLIG.

*Shmup also known as: shoot'em up, 2D shooter, scrolling shooter, space shooter, spaceship shooter, retro shooter, etc.