Managing resource files

In the S60 platform, resource files are used to define UI components such as status panes, CBA (Control Button Area) buttons, menu bars, views, dialogs, strings, and constants used in applications. The UI components consist of data structures that are defined in resource files, and then are called from the classes controlling the UI implementation. When UI component implementation is split into these two approaches, it means that resources can be recompiled, for example for new languages, without having to recompile the application code (unless you change the resource identifiers).

This section includes the following:

• How resource files work

• Resource file structure

• Precompiled resource values available from the S60 platform

• Required resource file statements

• Optional resource file statements

• Resource string handling

• Creating registration resource files

• Defining localizable registration information

• Creating resource header files

• Resource management example: HelloWorldBasic

For an introduction to the UI, see UI concepts.

For more information on resources, resource files, and their use in the Symbian OS, see Resource Files in the Symbian OS Library.