I have problem with the "Windows Game Programming for Dummies" code. I use Borland C++ Builder 4. There''s this example which shows how to plot a pixel. First I use the function to address surface memory: UCHAR video_buffer = NULL; Then I try to get the video pointer: video_buffer = (UCHAR *)ddsd.lpsurface And I get a following error: Cannot convert unsigned char to unsigned char..... So how can I make it differently? I am a total beginner and this seems to be an obstacle as many of the book''s examples uses similar commands.

It looks like you need to declare video_buffer as a pointer.

UCHAR * video_buffer = NULL;

rathar than

UCHAR video_buffer = NULL;

SiCrane is right, you must to declare video_buffer as a pointer. And don''t forget to lock the surface before obtaining the pointer from lpSurface. At the end when you are done with surface you must unlock it.