# Introduction to the DECtalk Software API

This Help introduces the DECtalk Software API (DAPI) and explains how to use the API to write application programs. This API has been designed to be extensible for future text-to-speech growth while still being easy to use. The current DECtalk Software implementation supports multiple instances of DECtalk Software per processor.

The DECtalk Software API functions give you a flexible method for manipulating the various parameters of DECtalk Software functionality from within your application. These calls perform a wide range of tasks associated with the text-to-speech system and are listed by function below.

Note (Windows Only)

In addition to the DAPI, DECtalk Software supports the Microsoft Speech API (SAPI) for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000 systems and SAPI Version 5.0 for Windows 98/ME/NT/2000 systems. This allows DECtalk Software to work as an OLE server in any OLE application environment. Information about SAPI is available in the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) CD-ROM under the Microsoft Software Development Kit (SDK). See Supported SAPI Functions (Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000 Only) for a list of SAPI functions supported by DECtalk Software. For more information or documentation on SAPI, contact Microsoft.

Text-To-Speech Calls by Category

Core API Calls

Audio Output Control

Blocking Synchronization

Control and Status

Special Text-To-Speech Modes

Loading and Unloading a User Dictionary