>> can't i use c function available in the c++ api ?
Yes, apparently you can, but you have to be VERY careful when mixing the two. I'd suggest you work with the C API alone, and start with one of the samples that comes closest to your requirements.
About C API compatibility:
http://www-12.lotus.com/ldd/doc/tools/cplus/3.0/lncpp30.nsf/ed212f3421ad9aa78525676a0064acdb/b839b021d9ff202585256e8200532ece?OpenDocumentHere's just an interesting link about the two APIs:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Q_20809433.html